Substituted benz(e)indenes and phenanthrenes and process

ABSTRACT

METHODS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 2,3,3A,4,5,7,8,9,9AB,9BADECAHYDRO - 3AB - PRIMARY LOWER ALKYL - 7 - OXO - 1HBENZ(E)INDENES AND 4,4AB,4BA,5,6,7,8,8A,9,10 - DECAHYDRO8AB - PRIMARY LOWER ALKYL - 3H - PHENANTHREN - 2 - ONES BY CYCLIZING COMPOUNDS OF THE FORMULA   1-R4,1,2-(-Z&#39;&#39;-(CH2)M-CH2-),3-(R1-CH2-T&#39;&#39;-CH2-),4-(O=)   CYCLOHEXANE   WHEREIN R1 IS HYDROGEN OR LOWER ALKYL; Z&#39;&#39; IS CARBONYL OR CH(OR2&#39;&#39;); R2&#39;&#39; IS HYDROGEN, LOWER ALKYL, LOWER ALKANOLY, BENZOLY, NTROBENZOLY, CARBOXY-LOWER ALKANOYL, CARBOXYBENZOY, TRIFLUORAETYL OR CAMPHORSULFONYL; T&#39;&#39; IS -C(X&#39;&#39;)=CH-, -C(OR3)=CH- OR -Q&#39;&#39;-CH2-; R3 IS LOWER ALKYL; X&#39;&#39; IS BROMINE, CHLORINE OR IODINE; Q&#39;&#39; IS CARBONYL, LOWER ALKYLENE DIOXY-METHYLENE, DI-(LOWER ALKOXY)-METHYLENE OR HYDROXY-METHYLENE, R4 IS LOWER PRIMARY ALKYL AND M IS AN INTEGER HAVING A VALUE OF 1 OR 2. THE COMPOUNDS OF THIS SERIES ARE USEFUL AS INTERMEDIATES IN THE SYNTHESIS OF KNOWN STEROIDS WHICH ARE PHARMACOLOGICALLY ACTIVE AS FERTILITY CONTROL AGENTS.

3,644,429 SUBSTITUTED BEN Z[e]INDENES AND PHENANTHRENES AND PROCESS Zoltan George Hajos, Upper Montclair, and Eugene Paul Oliveto, Glen Ridge, N.J., assignors to Holfmann-La Roche Inc., Nutley, NJ. No Drawing. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 1 687,463, Dec. 4, 1967, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 544,677, Apr. 25, 1966, which in turn is a confiuuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 495,672, Oct. 13, 1965. This application Dec. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 786,445

Int. Cl. C07d 7/04 US. Cl. 260345.9 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Methods for the preparation of 2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9afi,9badecahydro 3afl primary lower alkyl 7 X0 1H- benz[e]indenes and 4,4afi,4ba,5,6,7,8,8a,9,l0 decahydro- 8afi primary lower alkyl 3H phenanthren 2 ones by cyclizing compounds of the formula wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; Z is carbonyl or CH(OR R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkanoyl, 'benzoyl, nitrobenzoyl, carboxy-lower alkanoyl, carboxybenzoyl, trifluoroacetyl or camphorsulfonyl; T is C(X')=CH, C(OR )=CH-- or -Q' CH R is lower alkyl; X is bromine, chlorine or iodine; Q is carbonyl, lower alkylene dioxy-methylene, di-(lower alkoxy)-metl1ylene or hydroXy-methylene, R is lower primary alkyl and m is an integer having a value of l or 2.

The compounds of this series are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of known steroids which are pharmacologically active as fertility control agents.

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.

United States Patent 0 687,463, filed Dec. 4, 1967, now abandoned which is a 6 continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 544,677, filed Apr. 25,

3,644,429 Patented Feb. 22, 1972 ice 1966, now abandoned which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 495,672, filed Oct. 13, 1965, now abandoned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of 2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a,9b decahydro 3a primary lower alkyl 7 oxo 1H benz[e]indenes and 4,4215, 4ba,5,6,7,8,8a,9,10 decahydro Safi primary lower alkyl 3H phenanthren 2 -ones containing in the 3-position and 8-position respectively, an oxo substituent or a ii-0R moiety wherein R has the meaning given in the text accompanying Formula I below. Many members of this class are known compounds which are valuable intermediates in the synthesis of steroids. For example, benz[e]indene derivatives contain asymmetric centers at positions 9a,9b,3a and also at the 3-position if the substituent thereat is other than oxo. Thus of the 3-oxo compounds there are eight possible different stereoisomers, whereas of the compounds containing a 3-OR substituent there are possible sixteen stereoisomers. The synthesis of the present invention relates to the preparation of the 9aB,9bm,3aB stereoisomer of the benz[e]indene series, its optical antipode, the racemate thereof, and in the case where the 3-substi-tuent is other than oxo the 92113, 9bot,3afi stereoisomer, its optical antipode, and the racemate thereof. The corresponding phenanthren 2 ones, i.e., 4afl,4ba,8afl stereoisomers may also be prepared. The especially desired end products of the synthesis of this invention are the ()-enanthiomers. These can be obtained by commencing the synthesis of this invention with an optically pure starting material of Formula II or by commencing the synthesis of this invention with a racemic (i.e., dl)-starting material of Formula II and effecting resolution at any intermediate stage or after the desired end-product of Formula I has been obtained as the racemate. The desired (-)-enanthiomers of the synthesis of this invention are 2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9afl,9ba decahydro- 3aB primary lower alkyl 7 oxo 1H benz[e]indenes and 4,4a/8,4ba,5,6,7,8,8a,9,10 decahydro 8a 8 primary lower alkyl-3H-phenanthren-2-ones of the formula wherein at an asymmetric center a solid line to a substituent indicates that the substituent lies above the plane of the benz[e]indene nucleus and a dotted line indicates wherein Z, 2.; and m have the same meaning as above;

is treated, in the presence of base sufficiently strong to form a conjugate anion of the bicyclic compound, with a compound of the formula wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; V is loon=om, C (X)=GHCH2X, o (OR3)=GHCHTX R is lower alkyl; Q is carbonyl, lower alkylene dioxymethylene, di- (lower alkoxy)-methylene, hydroxy-methyylene, tetrahydropyranyloxy-methylene or phenyl-lower alkoxy-methylene; X is chlorine, bromine, iodine, toxyloxy or mesyloxy; and X is chlorine, bromine or iodine.

Thus, in one aspect, this invention comprises a method for the preparation of a compound of the formula wherein R R.,,, m and Z have the same meaning as above; T is C(X')=CH--, C(OR )=CH-- or -QCH and R X and Q have the same meaning as above,

which comprises treating a bicyclic compound of Formula II with a compound of Formula III in the presence of base sufficiently strong to form a conjugate anion of the bicyclic compound.

In another aspect, this invention comprehends the compounds of Formula IV, which are novel compounds,

and are useful as chemical intermediates as described herein. Also, certain of the reactants of Formula III are novel compounds and these too are comprehended by the present invention. Throughout this specification, in all the formulas of compounds containing asymmetric centers or in the designation of such compounds by chemical nomenclature, the desired enantiomeric form is shown or designated. However, unless explicitly indicated otherwise, such illustration and designation should be taken as comprehending the enantiomer shown or designated,

as well as its optical antipode, and their corresponding racemate. I

As used herein the term lower alkyl comprehends both straight and branched chain, saturated hydrocarbon moieties such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, t-butyl and the like. The term primary lower alkyl denotes an alkyl group having its valence bond from a carbon bonded to at least two hydrogens containing from 1 to 5 carbons. Halogen denotes all the halogens, e.g., chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine. The formative lower alk when used in expressions such as lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyl and lower alkylene has the same significance. Thus, examplary of the expression lower alkoxy-lower alkyl is a-ethoxyethyl. Exemplary of lower alkanoyl are acetyl and propionyl, and exemplary of lower alkylene-dioxy is ethylenedioxy. The term nitrobenzoyl as used herein comprehends benzoyl moieties containing one or more aromatic nitro substituents, for example, nitrobenzoyl moieties such as 4- nitrobenzyl and dinitrobenzoyl moieties such as 3,4-dinitrobenzoyl. The expression carboxy-lower alkanoyl comprehends dibasic aliphatic acids absent one OH moiety. Similarly, the expression carboxy-benzoyl denotes, for example, phthalic acid absent one OH moiety. The meanings for Q given in the text accompanying Formula III above can be represented by the following partial formula wherein k and k taken together are oxo or lower alkylene-dioxy, and, individually, k is lower alkoxy (in which case k is lower alkoxy), hydroxy, tetrahydropyranyloxy or phenyl-lower alkoxy (in which cases k is hydrogen).

Especially preferred compounds of this invention are those derivatives wherein R is methyl, ethyl or propyl, which can be converted into steroids which exhibit exceptionally active pharmacological properties as hereinafter described.

Preferred agents of Formula III are 1-bromo-3-pentanone cyclic lower alkylene ketals, such as 2-(2-bromoethyl)-2-ethyl 1,3 dioxolane; 2-(2-bromo-, chloroor iodoethyl)-2-ethyl-dioxolane; 1,3-dichloro-2-butene; and lower alkyl vinyl ketones, such as ethyl vinyl ketone. Especially preferred is 2-(2-bromoethyl)-2-ethyl-l,3-dioxolane which is a novel compound and can be made by various routes, for example, 1-bromo-3-pentanone can be directly trans-ketalized. The compound 1-bromo-3- pentanone can be prepared by various routes; for example, by treatment of ethyl vinyl ketone with hydrogen bromide at a temperature below room temperature, for example, at about 10 C., or by tratment of propionyl bromide with ethene in the presence of aluminum tribromide. An alternative method for preparing 2 (2-bromoethyl)-2- ethyl-1,3-di0xolane is to form the cyclic ethylene 'ke'tal of a lower alkyl ester or hydroxy-lower alkyl of jot-pro pionyl-acetic acid and to reduce the so-formed'ester of 2-(2-carboxyethyl)-2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane whereby 25(2- hydroxyethyl)-2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane is obtained, This latter compound upon treatment with phosphorous tribromide yields 2-(2-bromoethyl)-2-ethyl-1,3-dioxane.

As indicated above the treatment of a bicyclic compound of Formula II with a compound of Formula III to form a compound of Formula IV is conducted in the presence of a base sufiiciently strong to form a conjugate anion of the bicyclic compound. Any base which is sufficiently strong to form the conjugate anion can be used for this purpose. Exemplary bases are forexample alkali metal alkoxides such as sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium methoxide, potassium t-bu toxid'e and the like; alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and the like;

[O-lower alkyl1 wherein each R is a hydrocarbon such as lower alkyl or phenyl-lower alkyl and at least one R is phenyl-lower alkyl. 7 r

Especially preferred quaternary ammonium agents of Formula VI are benzyl tri-lower alkyl ammonium hydroxides such asbenzyl trimethyl ammonium hydroxide.

The treatment of a compoundof Formula -II with a compound of Formula III in the presence of a base sufiiciently strong to form the desired conjugate anion can be conducted at'room temperature or at below or above room temperature. It is preferred to conduct the reaction at a temperature between about C. and about 100 C. and it is especially advantageousto conduct the reaction at a temperature between about C. and about 25 C. Moreover, the reaction is suitably conducted in the absence of oxygen, for example, in an atmosphere of an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon. It is also advantageous to condu'ct the reaction under anhydrous conditions. Moreover, it is suitable to conduct the reaction in the presence of an organic solvent inert to the reactants as well as the desired end"product of Formula IV. Such solvents are, for example, ,dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, cumene and thelike; others such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran and the like; and lower alkanols such as methanol, ethanol and thelike. The concentrationof reactants is not critical, but it is preferred to'use at least one molar equivalent of the reactant of Formula III. It is especially advantageous to use about one molar equivalent of the reactant of Formula III. It is' preferable to add the reactant of Formula HI to a reaction mixture already containing the conjugate anion of the reactant of Formula 11; however, the reaction can also be effected by placing all the reactants, i.e., the compound of Formula II and the compound of Formula -IH and the base, together substantially concurrently, or, in the alternative, the reactant of Formula II can be added to a mixture containing the reactant of Formula HI.

The next aspect .of this invention comprises a method for the preparation of a compound of the formula wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; Z is carbonyl or CH(OR R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkanoyl, benzoyl, nitrobenzoyl, carboxylower alkanoyl, carboxybenzoyl,

trifluoroacetyl or camphorsulfonyl; T is C(X') =CH, C( O R )=OH-- or R is lower alkyl;

X is bromine, chlorine or iodine;

Q is carbonyl, lower alkylene dioxy-methylene, di-(lower alkoxy)-methylene or hydroxy-methylene, R is lower primary alkyl and m is an integer having a value of 1 or 2 which comprises the hydrogenation of a compound of Formula IV. By this hydrogenation the 3a,4-unsaturation of the 5-oxoindane-4-yl moiety of the compound of Formula IV is reduced yielding as the hydrogenation product a mixture containing as the main components the 3aa,4u (illustrated in Formula VIII below) and Zia/3,4,3 stereoisomeric hydrogenation products of the compound of Formula 'IV. Compounds having the desired 3aa,4fl-configuration of the hydrogens in compounds of Formula VII can then be obtained by equilibration of the 3aa,4u-hydrogenation product of Formula VIII. In order to effect the desired equilibration it is unnecessary to separate the stereoisomeric mixture. The equilibration treatment can be elfected by means known per se, for example, by treatment of the 3aa,4a-hydrogenation product with either an acid or a base. Thus, there can be used basic materials, such as, alkali metal alkoxides, for example, sodium methoxide, alkali metal hydroxides, for example, calcium hydroxide, barium hydroxide, strontium hydroxide, or acidic materials such as lower alkanoic acid, for example, acetic acid, propionic acid, or mineral acids, for example, dilute hydrobromic acid or dilute hydrochloric acid. The equilibration mu also be effected by chromatographing the hydrogenation product using a column with basic or acidic properties, for example, an aluminum oxide column.

Inasmuch as the ultimate goal of this invention is to produce a benz[e]indene containing a 9ba configuration and phenanthren-Z-ones containing a 4boz configuration, it is clear that the hydrogen of a compound of Formula IV should be conducted so as to predominately proceed so as to yield a trans-hydrogenation product with respect to the two rings of the 5-oxoindanyl moiety or the corresponding Z-naphthalenone moiety. A feature of this invention is that this desired hydrogenation to yield a transfusedbicyclic structure can be suitably effected in high yield by hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst, preferably a noble metal catalyst such as palladium, rhodium, iridium, platinum or the like. Especially preferred is a palladium catalyst. The noble metal catalyst can be utilized with or without a carrier, and if a carrier is used, conventional carriers are suitable. It is preferred to use palladium on a barium sulfate carrier; especially preferred is 10% Pd/BaSO The ratio of catalyst to substrate is not critical and can be varied; however, it has been found advantageous to utilize a weight ratio of catalyst to substrate from about 1:1 to about 1:6. Especially preferred is is ratio of about 1:3. The hydrogenation is suitably effected in the presence of an inert organic solvent for the compound of Formula IV being hydrogenated, for example, an alkanol, for example, a lower alkanol such as methanol, isopropanol, or octanol; ketones, for example, lower alkyl ketones such as acetone or methyl ethyl ketone; esters of carboxylic acids, for example, lower alkyl esters or lower alkanoic acids such as ethyl acetate; ethers, for example, lower alkyl ethers such as diethyl ether, or tetrahydrofuran; aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene or benzene; and the like. It is especially preferred to conduct the hydrogenation utilizing an alkanol as the solvent and it is preferably conducted under nonacidic conditions. Suitably, the hydrogenation is conducted under neutral conditions. It can be conducted at atmospheric pressure or below or above atmospheric pressure, for example, at pressures as high as about 50 atmospheres. Also the hydrogenation can be conducted at room temperature or temperatures above or below room temperature. As a matter of convenience it is preferred to conduct the hydrogenation at room temperature. It is preferred to conduct the hydrogenation utilizing conventional techniques, for example, the hydrogenation should be stopped after uptake of an equivalent of hydrogen or if the absorption of hydrogen ceases before the uptake of an equivalent of hydrogen, it is advantageous to then add more catalyst and further hydrogenate. Depending on the hydrogenation conditions utilized, the groups represented by Z and T in Formula IV can be modified during the hydrogenation. For example, under above-described hydrogenation conditions when Z is CR and R is a group such as lower alkoxy-lower alkyl or tetrahydropyranyl, such group can be split off during the hydrogenation procedure. Also, when T in Formula IV is QCH and Q is phenyllower alkoxy, or tetrahydropyranyloxy, such groups can be split off during the hydrogenation procedure yielding products of Formula VIII wherein T is QCH and Q is hydroxy-methylene.

From the above it will be appreciated that a significant aspect of this invention is a method for the preparation of a compound of the formula (J (0112).. O J

wherein R T, R m and Z have the same meaning as above which comprises the hydrogenation of a compound of Formula IV in the presence of a noble metal catalyst.

Following the hydrogenation and either simultaneously with or following equilibration the compound of Formula VII is cyclized to the desired compound of Formula I. Thus, a separate aspect of this invention is a method for the preparation of a compound of Formula I which comprises cyclization of a compound of Formula VII. The cyclization is suitably effected via treatment of a compound of Formula VII with either an acidic or a base reagent. The cyclization reagent can be of the same type as the equilibration reagent and thus the equilibration and cyclization need not be separate steps but can be effected simultaneously, in which case a compound of Formula VIII is directly treated with the equilibration/cyclization reagent. Thus, a separate equilibration step is not essential, but it has been found to be preferred as it results in increased overall yields. The question of which cyclization reagents are preferred can be determined by the nature of the compound being cyclized, i.e., by the nature of the moiety in Formula VII represented by the symbol T. Thus, if there is being cyclized a compound of Formula VII wherein the symbol T embodies a ketal group then it is preferable to cyclize by means of an acidic reagent whereby deketalization and ring closure are simultaneously effected. On the other hand deketalization can be effected -by an acidic reagent milder than that required for cyclization. Thus, deketalization can be selectively effected by utilizing an acidic reagent sufiiciently acid to deketalize but milderthan'that requiredfor cyclization. After such a selective deketalization, ring closure can then, ifdesired, be effected on the basic side as wellg as on the acidic side. In those cases wherein the compound. of Formula VII contains in the side chain an enolethenor enol halide, i.e., has as a side chain at the 4position of the 5-oxo-indanyl moiety a but-Z-en-l-yl moiety containing in the 3-position a chloro, bromo, iodo or 0R substituent, the cyclization is suitably effected on the acid side since acidic cyclization conditions will also effect hydrolysis of the substituent in the 3-position of the butenyl moiety giving the corresponding enolic intermediate which undergoes the cyclization. This simultaneous cyclizationring closure is suitably effected via the utilization of a mineral acid, such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid or the like. In those cases wherein the compound of Formula VH contains a 3-oxo-alkyl side chain the cyclization can be effected under either acidic or basic conditions. In those cases wherein the side chain contains a hydroxy group, i.e., wherein Q is hydroxy-methylene, then an oxidation step should precede the cyclization. By this oxidation the hydroxy moiety in the 3-position of the side chain is oxidized to an axe moiety, for example, a 3-hydroxybutyl side chain can be converted to a 3-oxobutyl side chain. This oxidationcan be effected by means known per se, for example, by oxidation with chromic acid. r V

The cyclization reagents as indicated above can bethi-i same reagents as are used for the preceding equilibration. Exemplary cyclization reagents are mineral acids, for example, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, and the like. Exemplary basic cycliza tion reagents are, for example, alkali metal hydroxides and alkali metal alkoxides such as alkali metal lower alkoxides. If the cyclization is conducted on the acidic side, it can be conducted at room temperature or below or above room temperature. It is preferably to conduct the acidic cyclization at an elevated temperature between about room temperature and the reflux temperature ofpthe reaction mixture. If the cyclization is conducted on-the basic side it can alsobe conducted at room temperature or at below or above room temperature, but as a matter of convenience it is preferable to conduct it at "about" room temperature.

As indicated above, the 2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9aB,9bd-decahy= dro)ag-alkyl-7-oxo-1H-benz[eJindenes and the'4,4a 3,4ba, 5,6,7',8,8a,9,l0-decahydro Sap alkyl-3H-phenanthren- 2-ones of Formula I obtained by the process'of' this invention are a known'class of compounds which are useful as intermediates in the preparation of pharmaceutically valuable steroid-end-products. These tricyclic compounds can be converted into the tetracyclic steroid nucleus for example, by reaction with methyl-vinyl-ketone or 1,3-(2) dichlorobutene according to methods known per se. The patent literature contains many references which are illu's trative of these methods and others in order to effect conversion of the tricyclics represented by FormulaI to known steroids of which U.S. Patents Nos. 3,115,507; 3,120,544; 3,128,591; 3,150,152; 3,168,530 and Belgian Patent 663, 193 are exemplary. 4

The utility of the tricyclic intermediates represented by Formula I is schematically set forth in the reaction scheme below. The ultimate utility of the tricyclic intermediates depends on the nature of the variables R and R For example, compounds wherein R is hydrogen may lead to either normal-steroids via A 10p precursors of l9-norsteroids (cf. Velluz et al., Angewandte Chemie 72, 725, 1960); or alternatively to 10a-19-nor-steroids (cf. French Patent 1,360,550) depending upon the reaction conditions. Further the tricyclics wherein R is hydrogen may be converted into 19-nor-retro(9fl,loud-steroids (cf. Velluz. et al., Tetrahydron Suppl. 8, Part II, 495, 1966) and estrogens viz-compounds having an aromatic A ringe.g., estradiol (cf. Velluz et al., Angewandte Chemie 725, 1960). On the other hand, compounds wherein R is lower alkyl may lead to compounds of the 9a,10a-series (Cf. Velluz et al., Angewandte Chemie 77, 185, 1960) or alternatively to compounds of the retrosteroid series vizthose having inverted centers of asymmetry at positions C and C i.e., the 9,3,10a-steroids (cf. Belgian Patent 663,193). A more specific description of the above follows.

Thus, the retrosteroids represented by Formula XVIII can be preparedin accordance with steps (a) and (b) of the reaction scheme set forth below. The cyclo-olefin represented by Formula I wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl (Step 21) can be hydrogenated to the tricyclic compounds represented by Formula XV by known means. The reaction is preferably effected with a noble metal catalyst, e.g., a palladium, rhodium or the like at room temperature in a suitable'organic solvent, preferably a lower alkanol such as ethanol. The catalyst carrier can be any conventional carrier exemplary of which are carbon and barium sulfate. The conversion of the tricyclic compounds represented by FormulaXV to the retrosteroids represented by Formula XVIII (Step b) is described in Belgian Patent No. 663,197. 1

An alternative and preferred procedure in accordance with step (d) of the Reaction Scheme for converting the tricyclic compounds represented by Formula I, wherein R is hydrogen, to normal steroids of the 9a-19-nor series represented by Formula XIX employs the novel reactant, 4-halo-2-tertiarybutoxy-butane wherein the halogenmay be fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine. In a specific embodiment, 2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9a;8,9bu decahydro-3afi-ethyl-3- oxo-7-oxo-H-benz[e]indene may be reacted with 4-chloro- 2-tertiarybutoxy-butane. The reaction is conducted in a suitable solvent such as, for example, dimethylformamide; a hydrocarbon such as benzene, xylene and the like; or dimethylsulfoxide, preferably under a nitrogen atmosphere, in the presence of a base such as an alkali hydride, e.g., sodium hydride or an alkali alkoxide, e.g., potassium tertiarybutoxide at a temperature range of between 15 and 100 to yield the intermediate 10-[3-tertiarybutoxybutyl] 13-methyl-l9-nor-desA-androst-9-ene-5,17-dione. This latter compound can be converted to norgestrel by procedures described in the experimental section herein and also described more fully in the patent application XIX "Normal" steroids 'xvrr "iOaSeries" steroid s "Retro" steroid s The steroids represented by Formulas XVII and XIX are prepared from the tricyclic compounds represented by Formula: I for values wherein R is hydrogen'by means known in the art. Specifically, the compounds represented by Formula XVI-I viz-'steroids of the l9-nor-10a series and compounds represented by Formula XIX viz-normal steroids of the 901,105 or 9a-l9-nor series can be prepared in accordance with steps (e) and ((1) respectively; as described in Angewandte Chemie 77, 185 (1965), Velluz, Valls and Nomin andAngewandte Chemie 72, 725 (1960), Velluz et al. I

xvrrr of Saucy, Ser. No. 679,989,-filed on Nov. 2,1967,'now Patent. No. 3,544,598. 5

4- halo-2-tertiarybutoxy-butane may be prepared from 4-halo-2-butanol by reaction'of the latter compound with isobutylene in the presence of a strong mineral acid such as sulfuric acid or a hydrogen halide acid,"pr'eferably-, hy drochloric acid at room temperature by known means. Inaccordance with step (t) of the-Reaction Scheme; the tricyclic compounds represented by Formula I, "for value'swherein R islower alkyl can'be converted by 75 methods known in the art to compounds-representedby 11 Formula XVIII viz-steroids of the retro series by base catalyzed reaction with methyl vinyl ketone.

In accordance with steps (c) and (h) of the Reaction Scheme, compounds represented by Formula I can be reacted with methyl-vinyl-ketone yielding the S-hydroxytetracyclic compound represented by Formula XVI (step c). These latter compounds can then be subjected to dehydration followed by hydrogenation or to hydrogenation followed by dehydration to yield 9,8,10aor 100:- steroids represented by Formulas XVIII and XVII respectively. These procedures are described in detail in Netherlands Octrooiaanvrage No. 6,412,939.

Still other methods of utilizing compounds represented by Formula I are described in the literature and the patents.

Compounds represented by Formula XIX wherein R is ethyl, Z is carbonyl, m is 1 and R is hydrogen can be selectively alkynylated by a suitable organo metallic acetylide to afford norgestrel (13 8 ethyl-17a-ethinyl-17-hydroxygon-4-ene-3-one). Exemplary of the suitable alkynylating agents to effect the conversion to norgestrel are the alkali acetylides such as lithium acetylide, potassium acetylide, sodium acetylide and the like. The reaction is carried out in the presence of liquid ammonia in a suitable solvent such as a hydrocarbon, e.g., benzene or toluene. The alkynylation is effected preferably at the reflux temperature of the reaction medium although temperatures from -60 to 30 are suitable. Exemplary of other suitable methods which may be employed to effect the C-l7 acetylenic addition is reaction with a lithium acetylide-ethylaminediamine complex in a dimethylformamide solvent by means known to the art.

Further, the 19-nor-compounds represented by Formula XIX wherein R is propyl are pharmacologically active ovulatory inhibitors. (Cf. Tetrahedron Letters 127 (1961),

Velluz, Nomin et al.) l9-nortestosterone acetate, encompassed by the series of the compounds represented by Formula XIX is a known androgenic agent (cf. J. Org. Chem, 26, 3904 (1961), L. J. Chinn and H. L. Dryden).

Moreover, compounds of Formula XVIII wherein R is ethyl and R is methyl, i.e., l8-horno-retrosteroids, specifically the acetyl derivatives in the pregnane series, are progestational agents and are thus useful in the treatment of fertility disorders. The 18-homo-retroandrostanes of this series have both antiestrogenic and anti-androgenic activity and also effect the secretation of gonadotropic hormones. Hence, these compounds can be used for example, in the treatment of gynecological disorders or as contraceptive agents. The rogestational activity of the 18- homo-retrosteroids of the series represented by Formula XVIII was determined by a standard pharmacological test procedure, i.e., the Clauberg assay. Briefly, this method consists of administering the compounds for five consecutive days to estrogen-primed, immature, female rabbits. At autopsy, the uterus is removed, and a histological preparation is made of the uterine cross section. This histological section is evaluated microscopically. Progestational activity if present is evidenced by a secretary-type endometrial response.

The progestationally active 18-homo compounds represented by Formula XVIII can be used in the form of conventional pharmaceutical preparations which contain said compounds in admixture with conventional pharmaceutical organic or inorganic inert carrier materials suitable for internal administration. The pharmaceutical compositions can contain such conventional organic or inorganic, inert carrier materials, such as, water, gelatin, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, talc, vegetable oils, gum, polyalkylene glycols or the like. These pharmaceutically, useful. compounds can be administered internally, for example, orally or parenterally in solid or liquid forms such as tablets, capsules, solutions, suspensions or the like. The methods of'this invention, as indicated above, result in the preparation either of the desired optical antipode illustrated by Formula I or in the racemate thereof. The optical antipode illustrated by Formula I can be obtained either by resolution of the corresponding racemate or by resolution of racemic starting material or, if racemic starting material is directly subjected to the methods of this invention, resolution of any intermediate racemate. Resolution can be effected by conventional resolution means known per se. For example, compounds in which the moiety represented by the symbol Z is hydroxy-methylene, or a group convertible into hydroxy-methylene such as carbonyl (convertible by reduction to hydroxymethylene) or an ether or ester of hydroxy-methylenc (convertible by hydrolysis to hydroxy-methylene), can be resolved by reacting-the compound containing'the hydroxymethylene moiety with a dibasic acid to form a halfacid ester. If the dibasic acids are, for example, dibasiclower alkanoic acids such as oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid or the like, or an aromatic dibasic acid such as phthalic acid, the so-formed half-acid ester is then reacted to form a salt with an optically active base such as brucine, ephedrine or quinine and the resulting diastereoisomeric products are separated. Alternatively the hydroxy-methylene moiety can be esterified with an optically active acid such as camphorsulfonic acid and the resulting diasteroisomeric esters can be separated. The optical antipodes can be regenerated from the separated diastereoisomeric salts and esters by conventional means.

The following examples are illustrative but not limitative of the invention. All temperatures are stated in de grees centigrade. Infrared, ultraviolet and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra where taken were consistent with stated structures.

Example 1 Methylene chloride (200 ml.) was added with stirring and cooling to 133.5 g. anhydrous AlBr- Hydroquinone monomethyl ether (0.1 g.) was then added, and the suspension cooled to 10. Propionyl bromide (63.5 g., ca. 41.8 ml.) was then added within a 10 minute period while stirring at 10. Most of the material went into solution.

Ethylene gas was bubbled into the reaction mixture through a dry CaCl tower at a rapid rate so that the temperature would not exceed 0. After 1.5 hrs., the solution was not absorbing any more gas. Itwas then stirred without further addition of ethylene for 30 min, and then transferred into a dropping funnel.

The so-formed solution was then added dropwise while stirring to an ice cold solution of ml. cone. HCl and 475 ml. ice water.

The methylene chloride layer was separated and the aqueous layer was twice extracted with methylene chloride. The combined extracts were washed with saturated NaHCO with water, finally with a saturated NaCl solution, and then dried with Na SO The so-obtained 1- bromo-3-pentanone in methylene chloride solution was used without further isolation.

The cyclic ethylene ketal of methyl ethyl ketone (235 g.), 750 mg. p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate and 220 ml. benzene were added to the above-prepared methylene chloride solution containing 1-bromo-3-pentanone. The reaction mixture was stirred and refluxed under nitrogen. The methylene chloride was slowly distilled off through a packed (Fenske) column. As the distillation proceeded, benzene was added through a dropping funnel to the distilling flask to maintain the volume unchanged. After 6 hr., approximately 400 ml. of solvent-was-collected. The solution was then refluxed for 16 hr. without further removal of solvent.

The reaction solution was then cooled with'an ice bath, stirred, and a saturated NaHCO solution addedto neutralize the acid. The water layer was separated, the benzene layer dried with Na SO and evaporated in vacuo. The residual oil was distilled in high vacuo yield- 13 ing 2-(2-bromoethyl)-2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane; B.P. 41-45 (0.4 mm.); 1.4690.

Example 2 Sodium hydride in mineral oil (1.26 g. contg. 57% hydride) was suspended in anhydrous ether under a nitrogen atmosphere. The ether and the mineral oil were removed with a pipette, and the sodium hydride was dispersed in 60 ml. anhydrous dimethylformamide. To this suspension there was immediately added at 15 while stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere, 5.0 g. of dl-7,7adihydro-le-hydroxy-7afl-methyl (6H) indanone dissolved in 60 ml. of anhydrous dimethylformamide. After stirring the reaction mixture at 15 for 90 minutes, 6.65 g. of 2-(2-bromoethyl)-2-ethyl-1,3 dioxolane dissolved in 25 ml. of anhydrous dimethylformamide was added at once. The resultant solution was then stirred at 20 for 16 hr. under a nitrogen atmosphere. It was then evaporatedto dryness in vacuo. The residue was taken up in benzene, and evaporated in vacuo, and this treatment was repeated several times to remove the dimethylformamide. The residue was then taken up in ether, and filtered through a filler aid (Celite) .to remove the inorganic salts. The ether solution was then washed two times with ml. of 0.5 N NaHCO solution and once with 10 ml. saturated NaCl solution. It was dried with MgSO and evaporated in vacuo yielding dl 1-(5,6,7,7a-tetrahydrolB-hydroxy-7a/i-methyl-S-oxoindane-4-yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal as an oil. This oil was used without further purification in the procedure described in Example 3. t r

Another sample of the so-obtained'oil, i.e., crude dl-l- (5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-1e-hydroxy-7a[3methyl 5 oxoindane-4-yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal, was chromatographed using Woelm neutral aluminum oxide of activity III, and gave dl 1 (5,6,7,7a tetrahydro-lfihydroxy-7afi-methyl-5-oxoindane-4 yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal in purified form. Refractive index, n 1.5230.

Example 3 Crude dl 1 (5,6,7,7a tetrahydro-lfi-hydroxy-7afimethyl-5-oxoindane-4-yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal (7.15 g.) was dissolved in 210 ml. of absolute ethanol, 2.36 g. of 10% Pd on BaSO catalyst was added, and the reaction mixture was hydrogenated at 3 atm. and 20 in a Parr shaking hydrogenation apparatus. After 1 hr. of hydrogenation time U.V. spectroscopy indicated ca. 10% a, 3-unsaturated ketone, therefore another 2.36 g. of 10%. Pd on BaSO was added, and after an additional 40 minutes of hydrogenation there was practically no (1,13- unsaturated ketone in the reaction mixture which con- ,tained a mixture of dl-1-(3aa,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1,3- hydroxy-7afi-methyl-5-oxoidane-4-yl)-3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal and dl 1-(3a/3,4B,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1B- hydroxy-7aB-methyl-5-oxoindane 4 yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. The solution was then filtered through a pad of filter aid (Celite), and evaporated in vacuo. The residual oil was dissolved in 81 ml. methanol, 8.9 ml. of 1 N sodium methoxide in methanol was added, and the mixture was stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere at 20 for min. yielding'a solution containing dl-l- (3aBAB,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro lfi hydroxy 7afl methyl- 5 oxoindane 4 yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal and dl 1 (3au,4fi, 5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-lfi-hydroxyflafimethyl-5-oxoindane-4-yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. A solution of 87 ml. 2 N hydrochloric acid and 153 ml. of distilled water was then added at once. The mixture was stirred and refluxed under a nitrogen atmosphere for 5 hr;, and then" kept at for l2 hr. It was cooled to 5, and neutralizedwith approx-8.3 ml. of a 50% sodium hydroxide solution, and then extracted with acetate, washed twice with 0.5 N sodium bicarbonate solution and then with saturated sodium 'chlonde solution. The ethyl acetate solution was dried with sodium sulfate, filtered,

and evaporated in vacuo to give an oil which was dissolved in 150 ml. ether. The solution was then stirred for 15 min. with 50 ml. of a freshly prepared saturated sodium bisulfite solution. The ether layer was separated, and this treatment was repeated two more times under identical conditions. The ether layer was separated, washed three times with a saturated sodium chloride solution, dried with magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated in vacuo to give an oil which solidified on standing to an amorphous solid, which was chromatographed on a synthetic magnesia-silica gel (Florisil) (100/200 mesh) column with benzene to give a crystalline material which upon crystallization from ether yielded dl-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8, 9,9afi,9ba-decahydro-3a 3,6-dimethyl-3;9-hydroxy 7 oxolH-benz[e]-indene, M.P. 1325-1355".

The mother liquor of the first crystalline crop was concentrated to approximately 3 ml. of volume, and on standing it deposited further (11 2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a[i,9ba decahydro-3afl,6-dimethyl-3B-hydroxy-7 oxo 1H benz[e] indene, M.P. 128-132.

Example 4 D1 2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9afl,9ba decahydro 3aB,6-dimethyl-3B-hydroxy-7-oxo-1H benz[e]indene (117 mg.) was dissolved in 21 ml. acetone (distilled from KMnO The solution was cooled to 12, stirred, and 0.14 ml. of 8.0 N CrO H SO., Was added under a nitrogen atmosphere. After approx. 15 min., 10 ml. saturated NaCl solution was added, and the cold mixture was extracted two times with ethyl acetate and then once with ether. The extract was washed with 1 N sodium bicarbonate solution and with a saturated NaCl solution, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness in vacuo giving an oil, which crystallized on scratching. Recrystallization from ether-petroleum ether (B.P. '30-60) followed by a recrystallization from ether gave d1 2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9aB, 9ba decahydro 3a,6,6 dimethyl 3,7 dioxo 1H- 'benz[e]indene, M.P. 98.5100.

Example 5 mg. of a sodium hydride in mineral oil dispersion was washed free of oil with anhydrous ether (distilled from CaH Dimethyl sulfoxide (4.0 ml., freshly distilled from CaH was added, and the resulting suspension was stirred and heated to 6570 under a nitrogen atmosphere for 1 hr. giving a fairly clear, pale grey solution of the methylsulfinyl carbanion.

The solution was then cooled to 20, and 500 mg. of 7,7a dihydro 15 hydroxy 7a methyl 5(6H)- indanone-tetrahydropyranyl ether dissolved in 4.0 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide was added at once, while the temperature was maintained at 20, if necessary, using an external cooling bath. The solution immediately turned dark brown. It was stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere for 2 hrs. at 20.

2 (2 bromoethyl) 2 ethyl 1,3 dioxolane (480 mg.=approx. 0.36 ml.) dissolved in 2.0 ml. of anhydrous dimethylsulfoxide was added at once, and the reaction mixture was then stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere at 20 for 16 hr. The dimethylsulfoxide was distilled oif in high vacuo under a nitrogen atmosphere, and the residue was dispersed in ether. The inorganic salt was filtered off, and the filtrate was washed twice with a small amount of saturated NaCl solution. The ether solution was dried with Na SO treated with charcoal (Norit A, cf. Merck Index, 7th Ed.,' p. 1587), filtered, and evaporated in vacuo. The so-obtained oily residue was treated two times with toluene and several times with ether, the solvent being evaporated after each treatment. The so-obtained crude reaction product was chromatographed on Woelm neutral aluminum oxide of activity III yielding dl- 1- (5, 6,7,7a tetrahydro 1p tetrahydropyranyloxy 7aemethyl-'5-oxoindan-4yl)-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. The compound is an oil.

15 Example A Crude reaction product prepared by the procedure of Example 5 (6.54 g.) in 165 ml. of absolute ethyl alcohol was hydrogenated at 23 and atmospheric pressure in the presence of 1.96 g. of Pd on BaSO catalyst. The hydrogenation took one hour. The tetrahydropyranyl protecting group was partially split off during hydrogenation and crude hydrogenation product containing dl-l-(Saa, 4a,5,6,7,7a hexahydro 1,8 hydroxy 7a}? methyl-5- oxoindane-4-yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal was obtained. A portion (605 mg.) of this crude product was dissolved in 0.1 N sodium methoxide in methanol. The resulting solution was stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere at 20 for minutes yielding, in solution, d1-1-(3aa,4/3, 5,6,7,7a hexahydro-1,8-hydroxy-7afi-methyl-5-oxoindane- 4-yl)3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. This solution was then refluxed with aqueous 1 N HCl under a nitrogen atmosphere for 5 hours, yielding crude dl-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9, 9a;8,9ba decahydro 3a5,6-dimethyl-3B-hydroxy-7-oxolH-benz[e]indene.

Example 6 A 57% sodium hydride in mineral oil dispersion (45.5 mg.) was suspended in anhydrous ether under a nitrogen atmosphere. The ether and mineral oil were removed with a pipette and the sodium hydride suspended in 5 ml. of anhydrous dimethylformamide. The suspension was cooled to 0 and, in one portion, a solution of 166 mg. of dl- 7,7a dihydro 1fl-hydroxy-7aB-methyl-5(6H)-indanone and 240 mg. of 2-(Z-bromoethyl)-2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane dissolved in 5 ml. of anhydrous dimethylformamide was added to the cooled suspension under a nitrogen atmosphere and with stirring. After stirring the so-formed reaction mixture for 5 minutes at 0 the cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was then stirred at for 72 hours. It was then evaporated to dryness in vacuo, the residue was taken up in benzene and evaporated in vacuo, and this treatment was repeated several times to remove the solvent. The so-obtained residue was then taken up in ether and filtered through a filter aid (Celite) to remove inorganic salts. The filtered ether solution was washed with 0.5 N sodium bicarbonate and with a saturated sodium chloride solution, then dried with magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo giving crude dl-l- (5,6,7,7a tetrahydro 1 3 hydroxy-7a/3-methyl-5-oxoindane-4-yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal.

Example 7 Potassium tert.-butoxide (241 mg.) was dissolved in 7 ml. of dimethylformamide and this solution was then added, in the course of approximately 2 hours, to a solution of 332 mg. of dl 7,7a dihydro-1fl-hydroxy-7a 3- methyl-5 (6H) -indanone and 880 mg. of 2-(2-bromoethyl)-2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane in 8 ml. of dimethylformamide. This addition was conducted with stirring at 20 and under a nitrogen atmosphere. After the addition was completed, the reaction mixture was left at 20 for 14 hours. It was then evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The

residue was taken up in benzene and evaporated in vacuo and this treatment was repeated several times to remove the solvent. The so-obtained residue was then taken up in ether and filtered through a filter aid (Celite) to remove inorganic salts. The ether solution was washed with 0.5 N sodium bicarbonate and with a saturated sodium chloride solution, then dried with magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo, yielding crude dl-1-(5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro 15 hydroxy 721B methyl-5-oxoindane-4-yl) -3- pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal.

, Example 8 Sodium hydride in ether (84 mg. containing 57% hydride) was dispersed in anhydrous ether under a nitrogen atmosphere. The ether and mineral oil were removed with a pipette and the sodium hydride was dispersed in 16 m1. of dimethylformamide. To this suspension there 16 was immediately added at 15 while stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere, 332 mg. of 'dl-7,7a-dihydro-lfi-hydroxy7a,8-methyl-5(6H)-indanone dissolved in 5 ml. of anhydrous dimethylformamide. With stirring and under a nitrogen atmosphere, 482 mg. of 2-(2-bromoethyl)-2- ethyl-1,3-dioxolane in 2 ml. of dimethylfor-mamide was then added to the reaction mixture within the course of 5 minutes. The so-obtained reaction mixture was then stirred for 45 minutes at 40 after which it was left at 20 for 16 hours. To the reaction mixture there was then added a suspension of sodium hydride in 20 ml. of anhydrous dimethylformamide obtained by suspending 42 mg. of 57% sodium hydride in mineral oil in anhydrous ether under a nitrogen atmosphere, removing the ether and mineral oil, and dispersing the sodium hydride in the dimethylformami'de. Following the addition of this sodium hydride to the reaction mixture, there was then immediately added to the reaction mixture, while stirring at 0 under a nitrogen atmosphere and within the course of 5 minutes, a solution of 241 mg. of 2(2-bromoethyl)-2- ethyl-1,3-dioxolane in 1 ml. of dimethylformamide. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 45 minutes at 40 and then left standing for 16 hours at 20. It was then evaporated to dryness in vacuo, the residue taken up in benzene and evaporated in vacuo, and the treatment was repeated several times to remove the solvent. The soobtained residue was then taken up in ether and filtered through a filter aid (Celite) to remove inorganic salts. The ether solution was washed with 0.5 N sodium bicarbonate and a saturated sodium chloride solution and dried with magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo yielding dl-1-(5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro 1,6 hydroxy-7afi-methyl-5-oxo indane-4-yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal as an oil.

Example 9 By reaction of dl-7,7a-dihydro-lB-hydroxy-7a/8-methyl- 5 (6H)-indanone with ethyl vinyl ether in the presence of a catalytic amount of hydrochloric acid there was obtained dl-7,7a-dihydro-1;3-(a ethoxyethoxy)-7aB-methyl- 5(6H)-indanone, an acetal. Sodium hydride in mineral oil (91 mg. containing 57% sodium hydride) was suspended in ether under a nitrogen atmosphere. The ether and mineral oil were removed with a pipette and the sodium hydride was dispersed in 5 m1. of anhydrous dimethylformamide. To this suspension there was immediately added at 15, while stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere, 477 mg. of the above-mentioned acetal, i.e., d1-7,7a-dihydro- 118 (a ethoxyethoxy 7a 3 methyl-5 (6H)-indanone, dissolved in 5 ml. of anhydrous dimethylformamide. The so-obtained reaction mixture was stirred for minutes at 15 and then, in one portion, 480 mg. of 2-(2-bromoethyl)-2-ethy1-1,3-dioxolane dissolved in 2 ml. of dimethylformamide was added to the reaction mixture at 20. Then the reaction mixture was allowed to stand for 22 hours at 20 under a nitrogen atmosphere. It was then evaporated to dryness in vacuo, the residue was taken up in benzene and evaporated in vacuo, and this treatment was repeated several times to remove the solvent. The so-obtained residue was then taken up in ether and filtered through a filter aid (Celite) to remove inorganic salts. The ether solution was washed with 0.5 N sodium bicarbonate and with a saturated sodium chloride solution then dried with magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo yielding crude dl-1-[5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-l s-(aethoxyethoxy) -7a[3-methyl-5-oxoindane-4 yl] 3 P ntanone cyclic ethylene ketal.

Example 10 Crude reaction product (155.4 mg.) prepared by the procedure of Example 5 was hydrogenated in 5 ml. of absolute ethyl alcohol at 23 and atmospheric pressure in the presence of 75 mg. of 10 Pd on carbon catalyst. Hydrogenation took 4 hours. The tetrahydropyranyl protecting group was split 011? during hydrogenation and the crude hydrogenation product containing dl-1-(3aot,4a,5,6,

17 7,7a-hexahydro 1,3 hydroxy-7afl-methyl-5-oxoindane-4- yl)-3-pentan0ne cyclic ethylene ketal was obtained. A portion (605 mg.) of this crude product was dissolved in 0.1 N sodium methoxide in methanol. The resulting solution was stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere at 20 for 15 minutes yielding, in solution, dl-1-(3au,4fi,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro 1B hydroxy-7afi-methyl-5-oxoindane-4-yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. This solution was then refluxed with aqueous 1 N HCl under a nitrogen atmosphere for hours, yielding crude dl-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a;8,9badecahydro-3a,8,6-dimethyl-3,8-hydroxy-7-oxo 1H benz- [e]indene.

Example 11 Crude reaction product (390 mg.) prepared by the procedure of Example 5 was hydrogenated in ml. of absolute ethyl alcohol at 23 and atmospheric pressure in the presence of 130 mg. of 10% Pd on calcium carbonate catalyst. Hydrogenation took 5 hours and gave crude hydrogenation product containing dl-1-(3aa,4u,5,6, 7,7a-hexahydro lfi hydroxy-7aB-methyl-5-oxoindane-4- yl) -3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. A portion (605 mg.) of this crude product was dissolved in 0.1 N sodium methoxide in methanol. The resulting solution was stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere at 20 for minutes yielding, in solution, dl-1-(3aa,4[3,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1B-hydroxy 7afl methyl-5-oxoindane-4-yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. This solution was then refluxed with aqueous 1 N HCl under a nitrogen atmosphere for 5 hours, yielding crude dl-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9afl,9=ba-decahydro-3a5, 6-dimethyl-3,8-hydroxy-7-oxo-l-Hbenz[e]indene.

Example 12 Crude reaction product (450 mg.) prepared by the procedure of Example 5 Was hydrogenated in 12 ml. of absolute ethyl alcohol at 23 and atmospheric pressure in the presence of 450 mg. of 10% Pd on BaSO The tetrahydropyranyl protecting group was partially split 01f during the hydrogenation and crude hydrogenation product containing dl 1 (3aa,4a,5,6,7,7a hexahydro 1;?- hydroxy 7a,8 methyl 5 oxoindane 4 yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal was obtained. A portion (605 mg.) of this crude product was dissolved in 0.1 N sodium. methoxide in methanol. The resulting solution was stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere at for 15 minutes yielding, in solution, d1 1 (3au,4fi,5,6,7,7a-hexahydroelfi-hydroxy 7afl methyl 5 oxoindane 4 yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene -ketal. This solution was then refluxed with aqueous 1 N HCl under a nitrogen atmosphere for 5 hours yielding crude dl-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a;8,'9ba-decahydro-3ap, 6-dimethyl-3,8-hydroxy-7-oxo-dH-benz[e]indene.

Example 13 Crude reaction product (378 mg.) prepared by the procedure of Example 5 was hydrogenated in 38 ml. of absolute ethyl alcohol at 23 and atmospheric pressure in the presence of -65 mg. of 10% Pd on BaSO catalyst. Hydrogenation time was 2 hours. The crude hydrogenation product containing dl 1 (3aa,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1B- hydroxy-7afl-methyl-5-oxoindane-4-y1) Z-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal was obtained. A portion (605 mg.) of this crude product was dissolved in 0.1 N sodium methoxide in methanol. The resulting solution was stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere at 20 for 15 minutes yielding, in solution, dl-l-(3atx,4fl,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-lB-hydroxy-7a13- methyl 5 oxoindane-4-yl)-2-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. This solution was then refluxed with aqueous 1 N HCl under a nitrogen atmosphere for 5 hours, yielding crude dl 2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a[3,9ba decahydro 3afi,6- dimethyl-3 fl-hydroxy-7-oxolH-benz [e] indene.

Example 14 s g. of dl-1-(5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-1B-hydroxy-7afl-methyl-5-oxoirrdane-4-yl) 3 -pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal was dissolved in 100 ml. of absolute ethanol. The soobtained solution was then added to 2.36 g. of 10% Pd on BaSO dispersed in a small amount of ethanol. Sufficient absolute ethanol was then added to bring the total volume of the reaction mixture to 210 ml. The reaction mixture was then hydrogenated in a rocking autoclave under a pressure of 45 p.s.i.g. at room temperature (ca. 2526). After about 1 hour, hydrogen absorption ceased (ca. 78% of theory) and then a further quantity of catalyst (2.36 g. of 10% Pd on BaSO was added to the reaction mixture and hydrogenation resumed. After about /2 hour hydrogen absorption ceased. The catalyst was then removed by filtration through a filter aid (Celite) and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo at 35 to dryness yielding an oily crude hydrogenation product containing d1 1 (3au,4a,5,6,7,7a hexahydro 1,8 hydroxy 7a,?) methyl 5 oxoindane 4 yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. 8.15 g. of the so-obtained crude hydrogenation product was dissolved in 90.5 ml. of methanol, and 9.95 ml. of 1 N sodium methoxide in methanol added thereto. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 15 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature, yielding, in solution, d1 1- (3aa,4[3,5,*6,7,7a hexahydro 1B hydroxy 7aB meth yl-5-oxoindane-4-yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. Then, to this solution, in one portion, 98 ml. of 2 N HCl and 171 ml. of water was added. The resultant mixture was then heated at reflux for 5 hours. It was then neutralized with 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide (10 ml.) and extracted four times, each time with 200 ml. of ether. The combined ether extracts were washed twice with 150 ml. of sodium bisulfite, stirring for 15 minutes after each addition of sodium bisulfite, three times with 150 ml. of saturated brine then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo yielding crude dl- 2,3,3a,4,5,7, 8,9,9afi,9ba decahydro 3a 3,6 dimethyl- 3,8-hydroxy-7-oxo-lH-benz[e]indene, The crude product was dissolved in 150 ml. of ether and washed with 50 ml. of sodium bisulfite, stirring for 15 minutes after each addition of bisulfite. The aqueous phase was separated and the treatment with ether and sodium bisulfite was twice repeated. The resultant ether solution was then washed three times, each time with 50 ml. of saturated brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo at 35. The so-obtained residue was chromatographed on aluminum oxide using benzene as the eluant. The benzene was then evaporated off in vacuo at 55 and the so-obtained residue dried in a vacuo at 55 for 45 minutes. It was then crystallized from ether/petroluem ether yielding d1 2,3,33,4,5,7,8,9,921B,9b0t decahydro 3a,8,6 dimethyl-3fi-hydroxy-7-oxo-1Hbenz[e]indene, MP. !125 129.5' (sintering at 122).

Example 15 4 g. of dl 1 (5,6,7,7a tetrahydro 1p hydroxy- 7a/3 methyl 5 oxoindane 4 yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal was dissolved in ml. of absolute ethanol. The so-obtained solution was then added to 1 g. of 10% Pd on BaSo dispersed in a small amount of absolute ethanol. Additional absolute ethanol was then added to the reaction mixture to bring the total volume to 210 ml. The reaction mixture was then hydrogenated at room temperature and 50 p.s.i.g. in a rocking autoclave. The hydrogenation took 3 hours, after which the catalyst was removed by filtration through a filter aid (Celite) and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo at 3540 yielding a crude hydrogenation product containing dl-1- (3aa,4u,5,6,7,7a hexahydro 1B hydroxy 7a 3- methyl 5 oxoindane 4 yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal which was equilibrated and cyclized as described herein to yield dl 2,3,3a,4,5,6,7,8,9,9a[3,9aedecahydro 3a[3,6 dimethyl 35 hydroxy 7 oxo- 1H-benz[e]indene.

Example 16 A 53% sodium hydride in mineral oil suspension (0.181 g. of sodium hydride) was suspended in petroleum ether under a nitrogen atmosphere. The petroleum ether and mineral oil were then removed and the sodium hydride dispersed in 3 ml. of dimethylformamide. Under a nitrogen atmosphere and with stirring, there was then added 1.0 g. of 7,7a dihydro 1B tetrahydropyranyloxy- 7213 methyl (6H) indanone dissolved in 6 ml. of dimethylformamide. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 30 minutes at 50-55, and then, in the course of 110 minutes while the reaction mixture was maintained at 5055, 0.835 g. of 2 (2 bromoethyl) 2 ethyl- 1,3-dioxolane was slowly added thereto. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 4 hours at 50-55". It was then mixed with 20 ml. of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution and then extracted five times, each time with 40 cc. of ether. The combined ether extracts were then twice Washed with 40 ml. of saturated brine, then dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo yielding dl 1 (5,6,7,7a tetrahydro 113 tetrahydropyranyloxy 7afi methyl 5 oxoindane 4 yl) 3- pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal.

Example 17 A 53% sodium hydride in mineral oil suspension (0.181 g. of sodium hydride) was suspended in petroleum ether under a nitrogen atmosphere. The petroleum ether and mineral oil were then removed and the sodium hydride dispersed in 3 ml. of dimethylformamide. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, at 50 and with stirring, there was then added over the course of 5 minutes 1.0 g. of 7,7adihydro 16 tetrahydropyranyloxy 7a/3 methyl- 5 (6H)-indanone dissolved in 6 m1. of dimethylformamide. The so-obtained reaction mixture was then stirred for minutes While being maintained at 50. The reaction mixture was then heated at 95 and .9196 g. of 2 (2 bromoethyl) 2 ethyl 1,3 dioxolane in 6 ml. of dimethylformamide was added in the course of 5 minutes. Following the addition, the reaction mixture was stirred at 90-100" for /2 hour, then mixed with ml. of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride and extracted five times, each time with ml. of ether. The combined ether extracts were then washed twice, each time with ml. of saturated brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo at yielding crude dl 1 (5,6,7,7a tetrahydro 1B tetrahydropyranyloxy- 7a 8 methyl 5 oxoindane 4 yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal.

Example 18 180 mg. of 53% sodium hydride in mineral oil was rinsed three times, each time with 5 ml. of petroleum ether, and blown dry with nitrogen. Then 8 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide was added thereto. The reaction mixture was then heated to 6570 and stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere for 1 hour. It was then cooled to 20 and 1 g. of 7,7a-dihydro-lB-tetrahydropyranyloxy- 7aB-methyl-5(6H)-indanone in 8 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide added thereto in one portion. The so-obtained reaction mixture was then stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere for 2 hours at 20 after which the reaction mixture was heated to 80 and 960 mg. of 2-(2-bromoethyl)-2-ethyl- 1,3-dioxolane in 4 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide added thereto in one portion. The resultant reaction mixture was then stirred at 80 for 195 minutes, cooled to room temperature and stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere overnight. The dimethylsulfoxide was then distilled off in vacuo at ca. 63. The residue was mixed with 30 ml. of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride, then extracted four times, each time with 25 ml. of ether. The combined ether extracts were washed three times, each time with 30 ml. of saturated brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo yielding dl 1 (5,6,7,7a tetrahydro 1ptetrahydropyranyloxy 7afi methyl 5 oxoindane 4- yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal.

Example 19 4.63 g. of 11 1 (5,6,7,7a tetrahydro 15 tetrahydroxypyranyloxy 7ap methyl 5 oxodindane 4- yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal in 35 ml. of absolute ethanol containing 1.2 g. of 10% Pd on BaSO was hydrogenated in a rocking autoclave at 30-32 and 630 p.s.i.g. The hydrogenation took 260 minutes. The reaction mixture was then filtered and the filtrate evaporated in vacuo at 30 yielding a residual oil containing dl 1 (3aa,4a,5,6,7,7a hexahydro 1,8 hydroxy 7afi methyl 5 oxoindane 4 yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. The so-obtained oil was dissolved in 60 ml. of methanol and 6 ml. of 1 N sodium methoxide in methanol added thereto. The so-obtained reaction mixture was stirred for 15 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature yielding, in solution, dl 1 (3aa,4fi,5,6,7,7a hexahydro 1B hydroxy 7a 3 methyl 5 oxoindane 4 yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. To the so-obtained solution there was then added 100 ml. of water and 60 ml. of 2 N HCl. The so-obtained reaction mixture was then refluxed under a nitrogen atmosphere for 2 /2 hours, cooled on an ice bath to 5 and neutralized to pH 7 with 50% sodium hydroxide. The neutralized reaction mixture was then extracted four times, each time with 120 ml. of ether. The combined ether extracts were washed with 120 ml. of 5% sodium bicarbonate, 120 ml. of saturated brine and twice with 30 ml. of saturated sodium bisulfite, stirring for 15 minutes after each addition of sodium bisulfite, and then finally twice with each time 120 ml. of saturated brine. The so-washed ether solution was then dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo at 30 giving an oil which was dissolved in 75 ml. of ether. The soobtained ether solution was then twice washed with 30 ml. of sodium bisulfite, stirring for 15 minutes after each addition of the sodium bisulfite. After this the solution was twice washed, each time with 50 ml. of brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo at 30 yielding dl 2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9afi,9ba decahydro 3a;8,6-dimethyl-3 ,6-hydroxy-7-oxolH-benz[e] indene.

Example 20 4 g. of crude hydrogenation product prepared according to the procedure of Example 15 in 50 ml. of methanol was stirred at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere for 15 minutes with 5.25 ml. of methanolic l N sodium methoxide. A 2 ml. portion of the so-obtained reaction mixture was placed in 5 ml. of water and neutralized (pH 7) with acetic acid. The neutralized mixture was then extracted three times, each time with 10 m1. of ether. The combined ether extracts were washed twice with 10 ml. of water, twice with 10 ml. of saturated brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo at 20 giving d1 l (3aa-4,8,5,6,7,7a hexahydro 1 3 hydroxy- 7afi-methyl-5-oxoindane-4-yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. I

To the remainder of the reaction mixture resulting from the sodium methoxide treatment there were added ml. of water and 52 ml. of 2 N HCl. The resultant reaction mixture was then refluxed under a nitrogen atmosphere for 3% hours at which point a ml. portion was removed. The remainder of the reaction mixture was refluxed for a further 1% hours (total reflux time for this portion was 5 hours).

The 100 m1. portion which had been removed after 3 /2 hours of refluxing was cooled on an ice bath to 5, neutralized (pH 7) with 50% sodium hydroxide and the neutralized mixture extracted four times, each time with 50 ml. of ether. The combined ether extracts were then washed with 50 ml. of 5% sodium bicarbonate, 50 ml. of saturated brine and left standing at 5 for 60 hours.

The portion of the reaction mixture which had been refluxed for 5 hours was worked up in exactly the same manner as the portion which had been refluxed for 3 /2 hours, and the resultant ether solution was left standing at 5 for 60 hours. After being permitted to remain at 5 for 60 hours the ether solutions were then each washed four times, each time with 15 ml. of saturated sodium bisulfite, stirring for 15 minutes after each addition of sodium bisulfite. The so-obtained solutions were then further washed three times, each time with 50 ml. of saturated brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo at 30, yielding, as an oil, dl-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9afl, 9ba decahydro 3a{3,6 dimethyl-3fi-hydroxy-7-oxo-1H- benz[e]indene, which was crystallized from ether/petroleum ether.

Example 21 50.0 g. of dl-7,7a-dihydro 1B hydroxy-7aj8-methyl- (6H)-indanone was dissolved in 1.25 liters of dichloromethane and the reaction mixture cooled in acetone/ Dry .Ice bath. 12.5 ml. of 47% boron trifluoride in ether was added to the reaction mixture, and then 5.25 ml. of 100% phosphoric acid. 1.88 liters of isobutylene was collected in an acetone/ Dry Ice bath, the liquid was filtered through a. glass wool plug and added to the reaction mixture. The flask containing the reaction mixture was then stoppered, and the mixture was stirred for 3 hours during which time the temperature in the reaction vessel slowly rose to room temperature. An additional 6.25 ml. of 47% boron tri'fluoride in ether and 2.6 ml. of 100% phosphoric acid was then added to the reaction mixture. Stirring was continued overnight, at room temperature, after which the reaction mixture was poured into 1.25 liters of 2 M-ammonium hydroxide. The aqueous layer was then extracted three times, each time with 600 ml. of dichloromethane. The dichloromethane extracts were combined and washed three times, each time with 1 liter of water and then once with 1 liter of brine, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo (40) yielding crude dl-7,7a-dihydro- 1;.3 (t-butoxy)-7a/3-methyl-5(6H)-indanone as a yellow oil. The crude product was crystallized by first treating a petroleum ether (150 ml.) solution thereof with charcoal (Norite) and cooling overnight at 20 yielding yellow crystals, M.P. 4243.5". The mother liquors were concentrated to ca. 75 ml. and charcoaled as above yieldingfurther purified product, M.P. 42-43.5 (sintering 39).

Example 22 Example 22A.1.17 g. of sodium hydride in mineral oil (containing 53% sodium hydride) was washed with petroleum ether and dried under a nitrogen atmosphere. To this there was then added 40 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide and the mixture stirred at 65 under a nitrogen atmosphere for one hour. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature and to the cooled solution there was added, in the course of three minutes, 5.0 g. of dl-7,7a-dihydro- 1,3-(t-butoxy)7aB-methyl-5(6H)-indanone in 40 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide. The mixture was then stirred at room temperature under at nitrogen atmosphere for 1 /2 hours. Then 5.40 g. of 2-(2-bromoeth'yl)-2-ethyl-l,3dioxolane in 20 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide was added thereto and stirring continued at room temperature for 4 hours. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between 100 ml. of saturated ammonium chloride and 100 ml. ether. The organic phase was washed with water, brine, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent was then removed in vacuo (30) giving a yellow oil product which was a mixture containing d1 1-[5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-1fl-(t-butoxy-7aB-methyl-5- oxoindane-4-yl]3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal which could be obtained in purified form by chromatography.

Example 22B.--To 1.17 g. of 53% sodium hydride in mineral oil treated as in Example 22A, there was added in the course of 2 minutes 5.0 g. of dl-7,7a-dihydro-1;3-(tbutoxy)-7afl-methyl-5 (6H)-indanone in 50 ml. of dimethylformamide. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere for 1 /2 hours and then, in the course of 2 minutes, 5.4 g. of 2-(2- bromoethyl)-2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane in 20 ml. of dimethylformamide was added thereto. The resultant mixture was then stirred for 4 hours at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere and worked up as in Example 22A yielding a yellow oil containing dl-l-[5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro- 22 l/3-(t-butoxy) 7aB methyl 5 oxoindane-4-yl1-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal.

A purified sample of d1-1-[5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-1 B-(tbutoxy -7a,8-methyl-5-oxoindane-4-yl] 3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal as a colorless oil was obtained by thick layer chromatography of the above-obtained yellow oils. U.V. x 250 mu.

Example 23 =25 .0 g. of the crude product, i.e., yellow oil, containing dl-l-[5,6,7,7a tetrahydro 15 (t-butoxy)7afl-meth'yl-5- oxoindane-4-yl]3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal and obtained in Examples 22A and/ or 22B in 326 ml. of glacial acetic acid and 11 ml. of water was stirred and heated at 60 for 4 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere. The solution was cooled, basified to ca. pH 9 with 10% sodium hydroxide and extracted with ether. The ether phase was washed (water and brine), dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent removed in vacuo at yielding crude dl-l- [5,6,7,7a tetra'hydro 1B (t-butoxy)-7a;8-methyl-5-oxoindane-4-yl]-3-pentanone that can be further purified by chromatography or molecular distillation. A sample was chromatographed on synthetic magnesia silica gel (Florosil), distilled for analysis and was obtained as a colorless oil. U.V. A 250 m Example 24 92.29 g. of crude dl-l-[5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-lB-(t-butoxy)-7a,B-methyl5oxoindane-4-yl] 3-pentanone in a total volume of 2 liters of absolute ethanol was hydrogenated in the presence of 41.5 g. of 10% palladium/barium sulfate at room temperature and atmospheric pressure in the usual fashion. The reaction was stopped after 104% of the theoretical amount of hydrogen was consumed, the reaction mixture then filtered and equilibrated by adding 20 g. of sodium methoxide and stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere for 1 hour at room temperature. Cyclization was carried out by adding 950 ml. of ethanolic 3 N-hydrochloric acid. The reaction mixture was then stirred and refluxed under a nitrogen atmosphere for 6 hours at room temperature. The resultant solution was cooled and adjusted to ca. pH 7 with about 900 ml. of 10% sodium hydroxide. The ethanol was removed in vacuo and the residue extracted three times, each time with 500 ml. of dichloromethane. The combined organic extracts were washed with water and brine, dried with sodium sulfate and the solvent removed in vacuo yielding a mixture containing dl-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a,8,9bu-decahydro-3a{3,6-dimethyl 3B hydroxy-7-oxo-benz[e]indene which was purified as follows. A 50 g. sample of the above crude was placed in benzene and filtered over a short column of neutral, activity III alumina to remove some colored impurities. This resultant material was triturated three times, each time with 5-0 ml. of hot petroleum ether. The oily residue was mixed with 25 ml. of hot petroleum ether and treated portionwise with a total of 33 ml. of warm ether. A tan solid precipitated. Another 25 ml. of petroleum ether was added, the mixture cooled 1 hour at 20, and the supernatant decanted. To the solid residue, ml. of ether and ml. of petroleum ether were added and the mixture stored at 20, overnight. The resultant solid was collected and washed with cold ether/petroleum ether (1:1) and dried in vacuo, 2 hours yielding purified dl-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,8,9a;8,9badecahydro-3a 3, 6-dimethyl 3B hydroxy-7-oxo-benz[e] indene, M.P. 96-117 (sintering at 91).

Example 25 1.0 g. of dl-l-[5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-1 fl-(t-butoxy)-7afimethyl-S-oxoindane-4-yl]3-pentanone was hydrogenated and equilibrated as in Example 24 and cyclized with 3 N ethanolic hydrochloric acid by refluxing the mixture for 15 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere yielding a mixture containing mostly dl-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9afl,9ba-decahydro-3afl,6-dimethyl 313 (t-butoxy)-7-oxo-benz[e]indene. The mixture was dissolved in 3 ml. of trifluoroacetic acid and stirred for 1 hour at The product was treated to remove any trifluoroacetate formed [cf. Beyer & Heiszwolf, Rec. Trav. Chim., 84, 211 (1965 and crystallized yielding dl 2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a/8,9ba-decahydro-3a;8,6-di methyl-3fi-hydroxy-7-oxo-benz[e] indene, M.P. 1 19-127 (sintering 114).

Removal of the t-butyl moiety was also carried out by refluxing the mixture containing dl-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a,8, 9ba-decahydro-3afl',-6-dimethyl 3 8 t-butoxy)-7-oxobenz[e]indene in benzene containing p-toluene sulfonic acid, for several hours.

Example 26 0.117 g. of sodium hydride in mineral oil (containing 53% sodium hydride) was washed with petroleum ether and dried under a nitrogen atmosphere. To this there was then added 0.50 g. of dl-7,7a-dihydro-lfl-(t-butoxy)-7a{3- methyl-5(6H)-indanone in 7 ml. of dimethylformamide. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 1 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature and then there was added 0.314 g. of 1-chloro-3-pentanone in 4 ml. of dimethylformamide. The resultant mixture was then stirred for 1 hour under a nitrogen atmosphere at ca. 25, after which the mixture was poured into 10 ml. of saturated ammonium chloride solution, and this was extracted four times, each time with 10 ml. of ether. The combined organic extract was then Washed twice, each time with 10 ml. of water and then once with 10 ml. of brine, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo at 40 yielding as a yellow oil a mixture containing dl- 1- [5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro1l3- (t-butoxy Jail-methyl-5-oxoindane-4-yl] -3-pentanone.

Example 27 4.43 g. of 2-(2-chloroethyl)-2-ethyl-l,3-dioxolane and 4.3 g. of sodium iodide in 50 ml. of acetone was refluxed on a steam bath for one hour. The precipitated sodium chloride (1.32 g.) was filtered off, and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo yielding 1-iodo-3pentanone which was reacted with dl-7,7a-dihydro-lfi-(t-butoxy)- 7a 8-methyl-5 (6H)-indanone as follows: To 1.41 g. of 53% sodium hydride in mineral oil, treated as in Example 22A, there was added a solution of 5.0 g. of dl- 7,7a dihydro 1B (t butoxy) 7aB methyl 5(6H)- indanone in 50 ml. of dimcthylsulfoxide. The mixture was stirred at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere for one hour. A solution of the 1-iodo-3-pentanone product prepared above in 20 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide was then added to the reaction mixture in the course of 15 minutes, after which the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for four hours. The reaction mixture was then quenched with 200 ml. of saturated ammonium chloride solution and extracted three times, each time with 100 ml. of ether. The combined organic extract was washed three times, each time with 100 ml. of water, then three times, each time with 100 ml. of brine, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo at yielding crude dl-l-[5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-1;8-(t-butoxy) 7afimethyl-5-oxoindane-4-yl] 3 -pentanone.

Example 28 To m1. of dry pyridine was added 19.96 g. of (:)-7,7a-dihydro 1B hydroxy 7aB methyl-5(6H)- indanone and 17.76 g. of sublimed phthalic anhydride. The suspension was stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere at 20 for 16 hours. The resulting solution was heated for one hour to 95-100 while stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere. The solution was then poured on ice-water, and acidified at 5 with 2 N hydrochloric acid to pH 2.0. The resulting crystalline precipitate was filtered off, and dried, yielding crude racemic (:)-7,7adihydro-1B-hydroxy-7aB-methyl-5(6H) indanone hydrogen phthalate, which upon recrystallization from acetonitrile gave purified racemic (i) 7,7a dihydro-1 B-hydroxy-7afl-methyl-5(6H)-indanone hydrogen phthalate, M.P. 187-189.

Example 29 Brucine (39.7 g.) was dissolved in 640 ml. of dry benzene. To remove the small amount of water present, ml. of the benzene was distilled off. The solution was cooled to room temperature, and 28.0 g. of the racemic (i)-7,7a dihydro-1,8-hydroxy-7aB-methyl 5(6H) indanone hydrogen phthalate was addedin 100 ml. of hot benzene. Again, 100 ml. of benzene was distilled off, and the solution was then cooled to room temperature. Scratching induced crystallization. After standing at 20 for 16 hours, the crude brucine salt of the (+)-7,7a-dihydro-1fi-hydroxy-7afi methyl 5 (6H) indanone hydrogen phthalate could be filtered off, M.P. 134.5-136 (d.), 1.70 (chloroform). The crude crystalline brucine salt of the (+)-7,7a-dihydro 1,8 hydroxy-7aflmethyl-5(6H)-indanone hydrogen phthalate was recryse tallized from benzene giving the purified burcine salt, M.P. 136.5-137.5 (d.), [111 0.293 (chloroform).

The mother liquor of the crude brucine salt of the 7,7a dihydro 1p hydroxy 7a 3 methyl 5 6H) indanone hydrogen phthalate was evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residual oil was treated several times with ether, and the ether evaporated under vacuum. The residue was then dissolved in hot acetone, and a small amount of ether was added. After standing for 16 hours at 20, the crude brucine salt of the ()-7,7a-dihydro- 1 8-hydroxy-7a/3 methyl 5(6H) indanone hydrogen phthalate was filtered 01f. M.P. 118142 (d.), [u]. 31.9 (chloroform). r Example 30 To 28.83 g. of the brucine salt of the (+)-7,7a-dihydro- 1,8-hydroxy-7'afl-methyl-5(6H)-indanone hydrogen phthalate in 300 ml. of acetone there was added while stirring at 20, 360 ml. of 0.16 N hydrochloric acid. The acetone was then evaporated under vacuum, and the resulting oil was extracted from the water with ethyl acetate and with ether. The combined extract was washed with 0.1 N hydrochloric acid, then with sodium chloride solution, dried with sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated under vacuum giving crystalline 7,7a dihydro 1p hydroxy- 7aB methyl 5( 6H) indanone hydrogen phthalate which upon crystallization from benzene melted at 130.5, [0:1 +104.l (chloroform).

Example 31 The (+)-7,7a dihydro-1,3 hydroxy 7a;8 methyl- 5(6H) indanone hydrogen phthalate (10.86 g.) was stirred under nitrogen in 19 ml. of 5.0 N sodium*hy droxide at 20 for 25 minutes. The reaction mixture was then cooled in an ice bath, and neutralized with 2 N HCl. It was extracted with ethyl acetate and with ether, the combined extract was first washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, then with sodium chloride solution. It was dried with sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated under vacuum to a solid, which was crystallized from ether-petroleum ether, giving crude (-+)-(1S,7aS)-7,7adihydro 1 hydroxy 7a 'methyl 5 (6H) indanone which upon recrystallization from di-isopropyl ether melted at 845-85", [111 25 -+90.4 (benzene).

Example 32 The dextrorotatory keto alcohol (+)-(1S,7aS)-7,7a-dihydro-1-hydroxy-7a-methyl-5(6H)-indanone (2.5 g.) was dissolved in 7 ml. of anhydrous tetrahydrofur'an. Anhy drous dihydropyan (4.5 ml.) and 0.06 ml. of 85% phosphoric acid was added while stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere at 20. The reaction mixture was then refluxed for 5 hours, then cooled to aproximately 10, and added within the course of 10 minutes to 25 ml. of a cooled and stirred saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. Ether and enough water were then added to cause the separation of the organic layer. The ether layer was separated and the water layer was extracted three more times with ether. The combined ether extract was washed with a sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated under vacuum. The residual oil was treated several times with toluene under vacuum giving an oil, the tetrahydropyranyl ether +)-7,7a-dihydro-lfi-tetrahydropyranyloxy-7aB-methyl-5 (6H) indanone. Ultraviolet absorption: A 238 lTl/L (6, 13,475).

Example 33 Sodium hydride in mineral oil (580 mg. containing 53% hydride) was suspended in anhydrous hexane under nitrogen. The hexane and mineral oil were removed, and the sodium hydride was dispersed in 30 ml. of anhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide. To this suspension was added, Within the course of 10 minutes, 3.2 g. of the (-+)-7,7a-dihydro- 1B-tetrahydropyranyloxy-7a 8 methyl (6H) indanone dissolved in 20 ml. of dimethyl sulfoxide, while stirring at 1820. Gas evolution creased after stirring for 1% hours, at which time 3.06 g. of 2-(2-bromoethyl)-2-ethyl- 1,3-dioxolane in 20 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide was added to the reaction mixture within the course of minutes and stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere at was continued for 20 hours. The dimethylsulfoxide was then removed under high vacuum. The residue was taken up in water, and it was then extracted with ether. The extract was washed with a sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulfate, and evaporated under vacuum giving an oil which was chromatographed, using a neutral aluminum oxide column (430 g. of Woelm, activity III) and benzene as the eluent, gave 2.364 g. of (-+)-1-(5,6,7,7atetrahydro 1 3 tetrahydropyranyloxy 7afl methyl-5- oxoindane-4-yl) 3 pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal as an oil. Ultraviolet absorption: Amax, 248 m (e, 13,000). The fraction was 89.4% pure by vapor phase chromatography, [111 +19.2 (benzene). Two other fractions totaling 0.543 g. (80% pure by vapor phase chromatog raphy) were combined with the main fraction and used in the next step of the synthesis.

Example 34 The 2.84 g. of chromatographed alkylation product obtained in Example 33 was hydrogenated in two equal portions in a Parr shaking hydrogenation apparatus at 3 atrn. and 20, using 150 ml. of absolute ethyl alcohol and 480 mg. of 10% Pd on BaSO' catalyst for each 1.42 g. portion of substrate. After 20 minutes the hydrogenation was stopped, the catalyst was filtered olf, and 480 mg. of fresh catalyst was added. After an additional 10 minutes the hydrogenation was finished. The solution was then filtered through a pad of filter aid (Celite), and the filtrate was evaporated under vacuum giving a mixture containing the reduction products, 1-(3aa,4oc,5, 6,7,7a hexahydro-1B-tetrahydropyranyloxy-7aB-methyl- 5-oxoindane-4-yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal and 1-(3a/3,4B5,6,7,7a hexahydro-7afl-methyl-5-oxoindane-4- yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. The protecting group was lost, in part, during the hydrogenation.

The 2.2 g. mixture containing 1-(3aa,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1fi-tetrahydropyranyloxy-7afi-methyl 5 oxoindane-4-yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal and 1-(3aB, 413,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-7aB-methyl-5-oxoindane 4 yl)- 3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal was then dissolved in 40 ml. of methanol containing 350 mg. of sodium methoxide. The mixture was stirred under nitrogen at 20 for 15 minutes. A solution of 37.0 ml. of 2 N hydrochloric acid and 65 ml. of distilled water was then added at once. The so-formed mixture was then stirred and refluxed under a nitrogen atmosphere for 5 hours. It was then cooled to- 5, and neutralized with a 50% solution hydroxide solution. The alcohol was evaporated under vacuum, and the water solution was extracted with ethyl acetate and with ether. The combined organic extract was washed with sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulfate, and evaporated under vacuum giving a somewhat oily solid which was broken up in a mixture of ether and petroleum ether (:B.P. -60), the solvent soluble fraction was removed, and the solid residue was recrystallized from ether giving ()-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a;9, 9ba-decahydro 3a;8,6 dimethyl-3,6-hydroxy-7-oxo-1H- benz[e]indene, M.P'. 167168.5, [ch 38.4 (chloroform).

The mother liquor of the first crop was concentrated to a smaller volume, and it deposited on standing for 16 hours, a second crop of (-)-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a;8,9badecahydro-3a,8,6-dimethyl-3B-hydroxy 7 oxo- 1H- benz [e]indene, M.P. 162-165".

The remaining mother liquor was then evaporated to dryness under vacuum giving 760 mg. of an oil, which Was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography using 1.0 mm. thick silica gel plates, and 1:1 benzene ethyl acetate eluent. Crystallization from ether gave further (-)-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a 8,9ba-decahydro 3a[3,6 dimethyl-3fl-hydroxy-7-oxo-1H-benz[e]indene, M.P. 156- 164.

Example 35 45.5 mg. of sodium hydride in a 52 percent solution of mineral oil was washed with hexane by decantation and dispersed in 2 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide, dl-7,7adihydro 1B (t-butoxy)-7a 8-ethyl-5(6H)-indanone was dissolved in 2 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide and added to the aforementioned suspension. The reaction mixture was agitated at 20 under a nitrogen atmosphere for minutes. A solution of 225 mg. of 2-(2-bromoethyl)-2- methyl-1,3-dioxolane in 1.6 ml. of dimethyl sulfoxide was added and the entire reaction mixture was stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere for 16 hours at 20. It was then poured onto ice, extracted with ethyl acetate, and the extract was washed with brine and dried. Evaporation of the solvent under vacuo gave dl-1-(5,6,7,7atetrahydro 1,8 (t-butoxy)-7a,8-ethyl-5-oxoindane-4yl)- 3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal as an oil.

274 mg. of the unsaturated ketone was dissolved in 25 ml. of ethanol and hydrogenated over 83 mg. 10 percent palladium on barrium sulfate until the uptake of hydrogen ceased. The catalyst was removed by filtration, washed with ethanol and evaporated in vacuo to give 3306,40t(5,6,7,721 hexahydro-lfi-hydroxy 7aB ethyl-5- oxoindane-4-yl)-3-pentanone cyclic ethylene ketal. 1 1710 cm.* (CHCl This mixture of C/D-cis and C/D-trans reduction products was equilibrated in 5 ml. of 0.1 N-sodium methoxide at 20 for 15 minutes under nitrogen. The react-ion mixture was then hydrolysed and ring closed by refluxing in 10 ml. of 1 N hydrochloric acid in methanol-water for 5 hours to give crude dl-2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a 3,9bu-decahydro-3afl-ethyl-3B-hydroxy-7-oxo 1H benz[e]indene. A 235 m (6 3,340). Purification by chromatography gave the pure sample of racemate product, M.P. 143-5; A 239 III/.0 (6 15,300); u 3500, 1660 and 1620 cmr (KBr pellet).

Example 36 112 grams of 2-ethyl cyclohexane-1,3-dione, 84 grams of methyl vinyl ketone and 400 ml. methanolic potassium hydroxide were heated together under reflux for 2.5 hours. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum and a solution of pyrrolidine in benzene (6 percent v./v.; 200 ml.) was added. The mixture was heated to boiling and distilled at a rate of ml./hr. while fresh pyrrolidine in benzene solution was added in order to keep the volume of the reaction constant. At the end of three hours, the distillate contained 17 ml. of water. The reaction was cooled, diluted with ethyl acetate, washed free of pyrrolid-ine with 3 N hydrochloric acid, washed twice with brine, dried and evaporated. The residue was distilled at a temperature between 112-117, the distillate being a crystalline mass. Crystallization from ether gave dl-8aethyl-3,4,8,8a-tetrahydro 1,6 (2H,7H) naphthalendione, M.P. 64-67. The analytical sample obtained by repeated crystallization from ether, had a M.P. of 68- 69; v 1710, 1660, 1615 cmr A 245 m (6 12,980).

' Example 37a Example 37b 238 g. of 4-chloro-2-butanol produced in the above example was dissolved in 500 ml. of methylene chloride which was then added to a mixture of 24 ml. of concentrated sulfuric acid in 500 ml. of methylene chloride. 1 liter of liquid isobutylene was then added and the mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 20 hours. The organic phase was washed with brine, aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and dried over magnesium sulfate. Removal of the solvents in vacuo gave 4-chlor0-2-tertiarybutoxy-butane.

Example 37c D1 2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a5,9ba decahydro-3aB-ethyl-3fihydroxy-7-oxo 1H benz[e]indene obtained in Example 35 was dissolved in 200 ml. of acetone and treated with 1.5 ml. of Jones chromic acid solution and stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature. The reaction mixture was diluted with brine and was isolated by extraction with ether. Removal of the solvent in vacuo gave dl-2,3,3a,4, 5,7,8,9afi,9ba decahydro-3a/8-ethyl-3-oxo-7-oxo--1H-benz [e]indene.

Example 37d A 57% sodium hydride in mineral oil dispersion was washed free of oil with ether, and then suspended in 20 ml. dry dimethylformamide under a nitrogen atmosphere. Dl 2,3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a;8,9ba decahydro-3ap-ethyl-3-oxo- 7-oxo-1H-benz[e]indene in 20 ml. dry dimethylformamide was added in one portion to the sodium hydride suspension, and the reaction mixture was then stirred at 100 under a nitrogen atmosphere for 1 hour. The resulting solution was cooled to 20, and 4-chloro-2-tertiarybutoxy-butane in 1 ml. dry dimethylformamide in one portion, was added thereto with stirring. After standing at 20 for 16 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere, the solution was evaporated in vacuo. The last traces of dimethylformamide were removed in high vacuo at about 80 bath temperature. The residual oil was dissolved in ethyl aceate, the ethyl acetate solution was washed with water, dried with sodium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo furnishing an oil, l-[3-tertiarybutoxy-butyl]-13- methy1-l9-nor-desA-androst-9-ene-5,17-dione.

Example 38 The diketone, 10-[3-tertiary-butoxy-butyl]-18-methyll9-nor-desA-androst-9-ene-5,l7-dione, produced in Example 37 was dissolved in 50 ml. of ethanol. 0.3 ml. of triethylamine and 100 ml. of a percent palladium-carbon catalyst was then added to this solution. The reaction mixture was then hydrogenated at room temperature and atmospheric pressure until hydrogen consumption ceased. The solids were filtered off and the solvents removed in vacuo to yield the saturated diketone, 10[3-tertiarybutoxy-butyl1-18 methyl 19 nor-desA-androstan-il7- dione, which showed only one spot on thin layer chromatography analysis.

Example 39 500 mg. of the diketone, l0-[3-tertiary-butoxy-butyl]- 18 methyl 19-nor-desA-androstan-5,17-dione was dissolved in ml. of benzene containing a trace of ptoluenesulfonic acid (25 mg.) and the reaction mixture was heated underrefiux for two and one-half hours..f1he organic phase was washed free of acid and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The crude residue wasdissolved in ml. acetone and treated with 15 ml. of 1 N aqueous sulfuric acid. After standing at room temperature for 35 minutes, the solution was diluted with brine, extracted with ether affording the waxy hemiketal, 6a,9a-trans-2- methyl 6:1 8 ethyl 7 oxo-perhydrocyclopenta-[5,6]- naphtho [2,-l-b] pyran-lla-ol. Further purification by crystallization from hexane gave pure product, M.P. 114- 116 C.

Example 750 mg. of the hemiketyl 6a,9a-trans-2-methyl-6aB-ethyl 7-oxo perhydrocyclopenta[5,6]naphtho [2,1 b]- pyran-lla-ol produced in Example 39 was dissolved in 30 ml. of acetone. 1.26 g. of a solution of chromium trioxide which was dissolved in 6.5 ml. of 6 normal sulfuric acid, was added to the acetone mixture over a period of 10 minutes at room temperature and then agitated for one hour. The reaction mixture was diluted with brine and after extraction with ether and removal of the solvent in vacuo, an oil was produced. The oil was purified by chromatography on silica gel (60 g.) and after elution with a benzene-ether mixture (1:1) afforded 10-[3-oxobutyl]-1S-methyl-19-nor-desA-androstan-5,17-dione.

Example 41 100 mg. of 10-[3-oxo-butyl]-l8-methyl-l9-nor-desA- androstan-5,l7-dione produced in Example 40 was dissolved in 5 ml. of toluene. 10 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid was added to the toluene mixture and heated under reflux for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then diluted with benzene, washed free of acid by means of aqueous sodium carbonate solution and dried in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (10 g.) and after crystallization from a hexane-ether'mixture yielded 13fi-ethyl-gon-4-ene-3,17-dione, M.P. 156158.

Example 42.

500 mg. of 13B-ethyl-gOn-4-ene-3,l7-dione produced in Example 41 was dissolved in 10 ml. of a benzene-ether solvent mixture (1:1) and added to a solution of 50 ml. of liquid ammonia containing 0.1 ml. of acetone and 0.5 g. of potassium acetylide. The reaction mixture Was agitated at the ammonia boiling point for two hours and then the ammonia was evaporated at room temperature. The organic materials were extracted with ether and then the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography over 50 g. of silica gel and on elution with a benzene-ethyl acetate mixture, afforded 13fl-ethyl-l7a-ethinyl-l7-hydroxy-gon 4 ene-3-one.

Example 43 46 ml. of freshly powdered sodium hydroxide was dissolved in 75 ml. of tertiary butanol at 50 under an atmosphere of nitrogen. 3.64 g. of keto-alcohol dl-l,2,3,3a, 4,5,5a,8-6,8,9,9a,B,9a-dodecahydro 3043 ethyl 3,8 hydroxy-6fl-methyl-7H-benz[e]inden-7-one was added to the above solution. A solution of methyl vinyl ketone (6.79 g. in 8.5 ml. benzene) was then added slowly over a period of 40 minutes to the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was stirred for an additional 20 minutes. 0.65 ml. of acetic acid was added, and the solvent was evaporated at under vacuum. The residue was dissolved in ether and filtered through alumina (neutral, activity 'I, 25 g.) and was then eluted with ether (1000 ml.). The ether was evaporated and the residue was dissolved in ml. of benzene and absorbed on (alumina, neutral, activity III; 350 g.). The alumina was eluted with benzene (1600 ml.), benzene-ether (1821, 3,500 ml.) and benzene-ether (9:1, 5,000 ml.), 350- ml. fractions being collected. Fractions 8 through 16 afforded the 'keto alcohol starting material, M.P. l07l35. Fractions 9 through 30 yielded a gum which on crystallization 29 from acetone hexane gave dl-17fi-hydroxy-l8-methyl-9i3, 10u-androst-4-en-3-one. Further crystallization from acctone-hexane gave an analytical sample, M.P. 148-l50. 3e50, 1660, 1610 cm.- 241 242 mu (6 16,200); NMR 1.34 ppm. (10u-methyl).

Example 44 99 g. of dl-17fi-hydroxy-18fl-methyl-9B,10a-androst-4a- 3-one was dissolved in 28 ml. of acetone, cooled with ice and stirred while 8 N chromium trioxide in 12 N sulfuric acid was added rapidly until an orange color remained in the solution. The reaction was allowed to proceed for two to three minutes when it was quenched by the addition of isopropanol. The solution was diluted with water, the precipitate isolated and washed with water. Crystallization from aqueous methanol yielded dl-18-methyl- 9p,10u-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, M.P. 208216 which repeated crystallization from acetone was raised to a melting point of 215217. 11 1730, 1665, 1615 cm.-1; a 240 mp. (e 16,400).

Example 45 (a) The diketone dl-8a-ethyl-3,4,8,8a-tetrahydro1,6 (2H,7H)-naphthalenedione (159 g.) in tetrahydrofuran (430 ml.) was stirred while a solution of lithium aluminum tritertiary butoxyhydride (314 g. in 1,350 ml. of tetrahydrofuran) was added, cooling being used to maintain the temperature at 20 to 25. On completion of the addition 3 N hydrochloric acid (525 ml.) was added to bring the solution to pH 7, the temperature still being maintained at 20 to 25. The precipitated solids were removed by filtration and the filtrate was concentrated to small volume under vacuum. The residue was extracted with ethyl acetate, the extracts washed With brine, dried and evaporated to yield crystalline, dl-4afl-ethyl-5B-hydroxy-4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro 2(3H) naphthalenonc; M.P'. 89-90.

(b) The keto alcohol, dl-4ap-ethyl-5B-hydroxy-4,4a,5, 6,7,8-hexahydro-2( 3H)-naphthalenone (84 g.) in dichloromethane (840 ml.) was treated with boron trifluoride etherate (47% in ether; 42 ml.) and phosphoric acid (100%; 14 ml.). Liquified isobutylene (638 g.) was added over 20 min. to the stirred solution and the reaction was allowed to proceed for a further 1.5 hr. The excess isobutylene was evaporated under vacuum and the mixture neutralized with ammonia (14% in water). The dichloromethane was then evaporated under vacuum and the residue dissolved in ethyl acetate, washed with brine, dried and evaporated. The thus obtained medium brown crystalline solid (107 g. 98%) which contained 97% of 6 as assayed by V.P.C. was used for conversion to 7 without further purification. An analytical sample of dl-SB- tert.butoxy-4afl-ethyl 4,4a,5,6,7,8 hexahydro-2(3H) naphthalenone was obtained by crystallization from dimethylsulfoxide, then from hexane and finally from methanol; M.P. 8385.

Example 46 Sodium hydride (52% in mineral oil; 16.6 g.) was washed with hexane by decantation and covered with dimethylformamide (400 ml.). The mixture was stirred and a solution of 6 (85.5 g.) in dimethylformamide (400 ml.) added slowly with cooling to keep the reaction temperature at 20. After agitation for 1 hr., 1-bromo-3,3-ethylenedioxypentane (74.2 g.) was added, and stirring Was continued for a further 4 hr. Saturated ammonium chloride solution (1000 ml.) was then introduced while the reaction mixture was cooled at 35. The mixture was then extracted with ethyl acetate (3X 900 ml.) and the extracts were washed with brine, dried, evaporated and heated at 100/0.05 mm. to give a dark gum (117 g.). This material was diluted with corn oil (23 g.) and distilled in a falling film molecular still. Six passes at 139/ 10 to 60 microns yielded, dl-fi-tert.butoxy-4afi-ethyl-1-(3',3'- ethylenedioxypentyl) 4,4a,5,6,7,8 hexahydro 2(3H)- naphthalenone. Analytically pure 7 was obtained as a clear gum by thin layer chromatography.

Example 47 (a) (55.9 g., 60% pure by v.p.c.) of the product of EX- ample 46 was hydrogenated in ethanol (450 ml.) over 10% palladium on barium sulphate (16 g.) until uptake of hydrogen ceased (approximately 1.2 molecular equivalents of hydrogen were consumed). The catalyst was removed by filtration and the filtrate concentrated to 250 ml.; 3 N hydrochloric acid (60 ml.) was added and the solution was heated under reflux for 3 hr., then cooled and neutralized with 3 N sodium hydroxide. The solvent was evaporated and the product isolated by extraction with ethyl acetate. The resultant dark gum (36 g.) was crystallized from ether to yield, dl-4,4a;8,4ba,5,6,7,8,8a,9,10- decahydro 8afi ethyl 8 hydroxy 1 methyl 3H- phenanthren 2 one; M.P. 135. Recrystallization from acetonehexane and then aqueous isopropanol gave an analytical sample; M.P. 142-144.

(b) The keto alcohol, dl-4,4afl,4brx,5,6,7,8,8a,9,10-decahydro 8afl ethyl 8 hydroxy 1 methyl 3H phenanthren-Z-one (12.2 g.) in pyridine (23 ml.) and acetic anhydride (23 ml.) was left for 18 hr. at ambient temperature. The solution was poured into water, the precipitate isolated and crystallized from acetone-hexane to give, dl 4,4afl,4bot,5,6,7,8,8a,9,10 decahydro 821/3 ethyl 8- hydroxy 1 methyl phenanthren 2(3H) one acetate; M.P. 121-129. The analytical sample, from aqueous methanol, had M.P. 127.5129.

Example 48 The produce of Example 47 (7.05 g.) was hydrogenated in ethanol ml.) and 3 N hydrochloric acid (25 ml.) over 5% rhodium on alumina (2.4 g.) until the uptake of hydrogen ceased (approximately 1.1 equivalents of hydrogen were consumed). The catalyst was removed by filtra tion, the solution was neutralized with 3 N sodium hydroxide and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was extracted with ethyl acetate and the extracts washed with brine, dried and evaporated to yield a gum (7.3 g.). This material in methanol (50 ml.) was treated with potassium hydroxide solution (13% in methanol-water 9:1; 12 ml.) under an atmosphere of nitrogen. After warming on the steam bath for 2 hr. the solution was neutralized with 3 N hydrochloric acid, the solvent evaporated and the product, dl-3,4,4ap,4ba,5,6,7,8,8a, 9,10,10afi dodecahydro 8a 3 ethyl 8 hydroxy 15- methylphenanthren 2(1H) one isolated by extraction with ethyl acetate. Crystallization from ether gave a sufiiciently pure for further reactions, M.P. 98-102. Repeated crystallization from ether-hexane gave analytically pure product; M.P. 102.5-104".

Example 49 Sodium hydroxide (98 mg; finely powdered) was dissolved in tertiary butanol (184 ml.) at 50 under nitrogen. To the solution were added 9.85 g. of the keto alcohol produced in Example 48 followed over 45 min. by methyl vinyl ketone (1.94 g.) in benzene (20 ml.). The reaction mixture was stirred for an additional 30 min., acetic acid (1 ml.) was added and the solvent evaporated under vacuum. The residue in ether was filtered through alumina (neutral, activity I; 30 g.), cluting with ether (500 ml.). The residue (11.9 g.) after evaporation of the solvent was dissolved in benzene and adsorbed on alumina (neutral, activity III; 1200 g.). The alumina was eluted with benzene (16X 800 ml.), benzene-ether (19:1; 10X 800 ml.), and benzene-ether (9: 1; 14X 800 ml.) fractions of volume 800 ml. being collected. Fractions 8 through 20 yielded recovered starting reactant. Fractions 26 through 40 contained crude, d1 17afi hydroxy 18 methyl 9B, 100: D homoandrost 4 en 3 one. This latter material was triturated with ether and afiiorded an insoluble portion; M.P. 114-212. The ether solution on concentration gave crystals; M.P. 94114. Charcoal treatment and droxy-(6H)-indanone 214 g.)

31 repeated crystallization from ether-hexane and acetonehexane gave pure product; M.P. 136l38.

Example 50 The compound prepared in Example 49 (1.83 g. of crude gum) in acetone (25 ml.) was cooled on ice and 8 N chromium trioxide in 12 N sulfuric acid (1.8 ml.) was added until an orange colour persisted in the solution. After a reaction time of 2 min. the mixture was poured into water, the precipitate isolated and washed with water. This material (1.62 g.) on crystallization from dichloromethane-acetone, gave the dione, dl l8 methyl 9B, oz D homoandrost 4 en 3,17a dione; M.P. 200- 217". Further crystallization from acetone gave a sample M.P. 213.5-218.

Example 51 Methyl vinyl ketone (260 ml.), dry 2-ethylcyclopentane-l,3-dione (240 g.), and a solution of potassium hydoxide (1 g.) in methanol (800 ml.) were heated together under reflux for 7 hr. The methanol was evaporated under reduced pressure and to the residue was added p-toluenesulfonic acid (16 g.) in benzene (690 ml.). The reaction solution was then heated under reflux using a Dean-Stark water separator, until no more water collected (the amount collected exceeded the calculated quantity). After cooling the solution was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution until free of acid, then twice with brine. The solution was dried, the benzene evaporated under vacuum and the residue distilled at 128 /l2 mm. The distillate (299 g.) crystallized and Was recrystallized from acetone-hexane to yield, dl-7,7a-dihydro-7a-ethyl-1,5(6H)-indanedione; M.P. 83- 86.5 Pure material, obtained by crystallization from ether had M.P. 8688.

Example 52 The finely powdered dione, dl-7,7a-dihydro-7a-ethyl- 1,5(6H)-indanedione (211 g.) as a suspension in ethanol (1000 ml.) was agitated and cooled to --10. A solution of sodium borohydride (13.2 g.) in ethanol (1200 ml.) was added over 30 min. while the temperautre was maintained at 5 to 10 The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hr. while the temperature rose to 5, at which time all the solids had dissolved. The solution was then cooled to 5 to 10 and 3 N hydrochloric acid added until the solution was at pH 5 to 7. The ethanol was then evaporated under vacuum and the residue dissolved in ethyl acetate (500 ml.) which was Washed twice with brine, dried and evaporated to yield, dl-7,7a-dihydro-7apethyl-lfl-hydroxy-S(6H)-indanone, as an oil of 8590% purity as determined by v.p.c.

Example 53 (a) The keto alcohol, dl-7,7a-dihydro-7afl-ethyl-lp-hydroxy-5(6H)-indanone (9.7 g.) in benzene (100 ml.) was heated under reflux using a Dean-Stark trap. When no more water separated p-toluene-sultonic acid (70 mg.) was added to the hot solution followed by dihydro- .pyran (6 ml.). The solution was then allowed to cool to room temperature, washed twice with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, twice with brine, dried and evaporated. The residue in hexane ml.) was filtered through grade I alumina g.), eluting with hexane (300 ml.). Evaporation of the eluate gave dl-7,7a-dihydroJae-ethyll,8-(tetrahydro-Z-pyranyloxy)-5(6H)-indanone as an oil.

The ether, dl-7,7a-dihydro-7aB-ethyl-lfl-(tetrahydro-Z- pyranyloxy)-5(6H)-indanone on treatment with semicarbazide hydrochloride in pyridine afiorded a semicarbazone; M.P. l77180 after crystallization from ethanol.

(b) The keto alcohol, dl-7,7a-dihydro-7afl-ethyl-lfi-hyin dichloromethane (1900 ml.) was treated with borontrifiuoride etherate (47% in ether; 97 ml.) and phosphoric acid (100%; 32 ml.). The solution was stirred and isobutylene (liquitied by cooling; 375 g.) was added over one hour. The

32 excess isobutylene was evaporated under vacuum and the reaction mixture brought to pH 7 by addition of ammonia (14% in water). The solvent was then evaporated under vacuum and the residue in ethyl acetate washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and brine. The residue (277 g.) obtained after drying and evaporation of the solvent was diluted with corn oil and distilled at 4480/ 35-20 microns in a rotating disc molecular still to yield, dl-1,B-tert.butoxy-7,7a-dihydro-7afl-ethyl- 5(6H)-indanone as a crystalline mass. An analytical sample obtained by crystallization from hexane had M.P. 53-54". Example 54 (a) The ether, dl-7,7a-dihydro-7a/3-ethyl-lfl-(tetrahydro-2-pyranyloxy)-5(6H) -indanone (7.09 g.) in dimethylformamide (7 ml.) was added dropwise over 5 min. to a stirred suspension of sodium hydride (56% in mineral oil; 1.6 g.) in dimethylformamide (10 ml.) at -15 under nitrogen. The mixture was allowed to warm to 0 and stirred for 4 hr. 1-bromo-3,3-ethylenedioxypentane (7.85 g.) was then added and the mixture stirred for 18 hr. at ambient temperature. Saturated ammonium chloride solution (30 ml.) was added while the mixture was cooled to maintain the temperature at 25. The product was isolated by extraction with ether and the crude oil (12.8 g.) in hexane was absorbed on Florisil (130 g.). The column was eluted with hexane (1500 ml.) and hexane-ether (4:1; 2500 ml.) fractions of volume 100 ml. being collected. Fractions 23 through'40 afforded dl-7,7a-dihydro-7a 8-ethyl-4 (3',3' ethtylenedioxypentyl) -118-(tetrahydro-Z-pyranyloxy)-5 (6H)-indanone, as an oil.

(b) Sodium hydride (52% in mineral oil; 19.3 g.) was washed with hexane by decantation and dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (800 ml.) by warming at 70 in an atmosphere of nitrogen. To this solution at 20 was added the ether, dl-lB-terLbutoxy 7,7a-dihydro-7afi-ethyl-5 (6H)-indanone (100 g.) in dimethylsulfoxide (200 ml.), the addition taking 30 min.1-bromo-3,3-ethylenedioxypentane (86.5 g.) was then introduced and the mixture was stirred for 4 hr. Saturated ammonium chloride solution was added to bring the mixture to pH 7 while cooling as necessary to maintain the temperature at 20. The product was isolated by extraction with ethyl acetate, the extracts washed with brine and dried. Evaporation of the solvent under vacuum (finally at'100/ 1 mm.) gave a dark oil which was chromatographed on Florisil (1.4 kg.) in hexane, fractions of volume 1,400 m1. being collected. Elution with hexane (14 1.), hexane-ether (4:1, 21 l.) and hexane ether (1:1; 14 l.) alforded dl-lfl-tertbutoxy-7,7a-dihydro-7afl ethyl-4 (3',3'-ethylenedioxypentyl)-5,6(H)-indanone in fractions 5 through 36. The material thus obtained was to pure as judged by v.p.c.

Example 55 (a) The unsaturated ketone dl-1fl-tert.butoxy-7,7a-dihydro 7a 8 ethyl 4 (3',3-ethylenedioxypentyl)- 5,6(H)-indanone (76 g.) in ethanol (700 ml.)-was hydrogenated over 10% palladium on barium sulphatle (20 g.) until uptake of hydrogen ceased (approximately 1:1 molecular equivalents of hydrogenwere consumed). The catalyst was removed by filtration, washed with ethanol, and a 25 ml. aliquot of the filtrate (volume 1000 ml.) was evaporated and weighed (16 g.). The aliquot was returned to the main solution, 3 N hydrochloric acid (340 ml.) was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 2.5 hr. The cooled solution was adjusted to pH 7 with 3 N sodium hydroxide and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was partitioned between water and ethyl acetate and the organic phase washed with brine, dried and evaporated. The residual brown gum was crystallized from a small volume of methanol to yield, dl-l,2,3,3a,4,5, 8,9,9a 8,9bu-decahydro- 3aB ethyl 3/3 hydroxy 6 methyl 7H-benz[e]inden- 7-one; M.P. l48158. A second crop (7.5 g.) from ether had M.P. ISO-158. The analytical sample, obtained by crystallization from acetone-hexane had M.P. ISL-153. (D1 1,2,3,3a,4,5,8,9,9a/3,9bu decahydro 3aB ethyl- 35 hydroxy 6 methyl 7H benz[e]inden-7-one appears to exhibit polymorphism. The initial samples melted at or below 153, but in subsequent preparations crystals were present in the melt up to 158. No difference between the various samples could be detected).

(b) A small quantity of dl 3B tert.butoxy-l,2,3,3a, 4,5,8,9,9a/3,9ba decahydro 3a 3-ethyl-6-methyl-7H- benz[e]inden 7 one was isolated in the course of chromatography of a sample of crude, dl-1,2,3,3a,4,5,8, 9,9af3,9ba decahydro 3aB ethyl 3B-hydroxy-6-methyl- 7H benz[e]inden 7 one. Dl 3B tert.butoxy-1,2,3, 3a,4,5,8,9 ,9a/8,9bu decahydro 3a 3 ethyl 6 methyl- 7H benz [e]inden 7 one crystallized from hexane and had,M.P. 120-121.

(c) A solution of the alcohol, dl-1,2,3,3a,4,5,8,9,9a/3, 9bu decahydro 3a,.3 ethyl 3fi-hydroxy-6-methyl- 7H benz[e]inden 7 one (794 mg.) in pyridine (4.5 ml.) was treated with benzoyl chloride (0.5 ml.) and let stand 18 hr. at room temperature. The mixture was added to ice water, the precipitate isolated and crystallized from acetone to yield dl 1,2,3,3a,4,5,8,9,9aB,9'ba-decahydro- Bap] ethyl 3/3 hydroxy 6 methyl 7H benz [e]inden- 7-one benzoate; M.P. 171172.

(d) The alcohol, (11 1,2,3,3a,4,5,8,9,9a}8,9ba-decahydro 3a,?! ethyl 3p hydroxy 6 methyl 7H-benz- [e]inden 7 one (10 g.) was dissolved in pyridine (20 ml.) and acetic anhydride (10 ml.) and the solution left for 18 hr. at room temperature. The mixture was poured into water, the precipitate isolated and crystallized from aqueous methanol to yield dl-l,2,3,3a,4,5,8,9,9'wB,9ba-decahydro Sa/S ethyl 3 8 hydroxy 6 methyl 7H- benz[e]inden 7 one acetate; M.P. 72- 83. A further crystallization from aqueous methanol and one from hexane gave an analytically pure sample, M.P. 83.5-85.

Example 56 The acetate dl 1,2,3,3a,4,S,8,9,9aB,9bu-decahydro- 3afl ethyl 35 hydroxy 6 methyl 7H benz [e]inden- 7-one acetate (8.7 g.) in ethanol (250 ml.) and 3 N bydrochloric acid (28 ml.) was hydrogenated over rhodium on alumina (2.7 g.) until uptake of hydrogen ceased (approximately 1.1 molecular equivalents were consumed). The catalyst was removed by filtration, 3 N sodium hydroxide was added to bring the solution to pH 7, and the solvent was evaporated under vacuum. The residue was partitioned between water and ethyl acetate, and the organic phases were washed with brine, dried and evaporated. The resultant gum (8.9 g.) was dissolved in methanol (30 ml.), nitrogen was passed through the solution and potassium hydroxide solution (13% in methanol water 9:1; 15 ml.) added. The mixture was kept 18 hr. at room temperature under nitrogen, brought to pH 7 with 3 N hydrochloric acid, and the solvent evaporated. The product was isolated by extraction with ethyl acetate, 7.3 g. gum being obtained. Crystallization from ether yielded d1 1,2,3,3a,4,5,5a1fi,6, 8,9',9a5,9badodecahydro 3a 8 ethyl 3,3 hydroxy 6,8-methyl-7H- benz[e]inden 7 one; M.P. 119-138. A second crop (0.29 g.) from the same solvent had M.P. 105-114. An analytical sample obtained by crystallization from aqueous methanol had M.P. Ill-114. (D1 1,2,3,3a,4,5,5a;8,6,8,9, 9ap,9bm dodecahydro 3ap ethyl 3,3 hydroxy-6pmethyl 7H benz[e]inden 7 one appears to exhibit polymorphism with one modification having the melting point of the analytical sample and another melting ca.

140. Melting points for different samples of this compound varied between 107 and 140 and sometimes changed drastically on recrystallization. Various samples were examined but no inhomogeneity could be detected).

34 We claim: 1. A compound of the formula wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; Z is carbonyl or CH(OR R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxylower alkyl, phenyl-lower alkyl, tetrahydropyranyl, lower alkanoyl, benzoyl, nitrobenzoyl, carboxy-lower alkanoyl, carboxy-benzoyl, trifluoroacetyl or camphorsulfonyl; and m is an integer having a value of 1 or 2, provided that when m is 2, R is not lower alkyl or phenyl-lower alkyl.

2. A compound as in claim 1 wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of carbonyl and CH(OR R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R is methyl or ethyl; m is 1 and R is as defined therein.

3. A compound of the formula wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; Z is carbonyl or CH(OR R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxylower alkyl, phenyl-lower alkyl, tetrahydropyranyl, lower alkanoyl, benzoyl, nitrobenzoyl, carboxy-lower alkanoyl, carboxy-benzoyl, trifluoroacetyl or camphorsultonyl; and m is an integer having a value of 1 or 2.

4. A compound as in claim 3 wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of carbonyl and CH(OR R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R is methyl or ethyl, m is 1 and R is as defined therein.

5. A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; Z is carbonyl or CH(OR R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxylower alkyl, phenyl lower alkyl, tetrahydropyranyl, lower alkanoyl, benzoyl, nitrobenzoyl, carboxy-lower alkanoyl, carboxy-benzoyl, trifluoroacetyl or camphorsulfonyl; and m is an integer having a value of 1 or 2 which process comprises (a) hydrogenating a compound of the formula wherein Z, R and m are as above and T is where X is chlorine, bromine, or iodine, R is lower alkyl and Q is carbonyl, lower alkylenedioxy-methylene, di-(lower alkoxy)-methylene, hydroxy-methylene, tetrahydropyranyloxy-methylene or phenyl-lower alkoxy methylene in the presence of a noble metal catalyst;

(b) equilibrating the product produced in step (a) with 5 an acid or base medium; and (c) cyclizing the product from step (b) with an acid or base reagent.

References Cited V UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1969 Los 260-586 ALEX MAZEL, Primary Examiner I. H. TURNIPSEED, Assistant Examiner US. 01. X.R.

P0405) UNITED STATES ?ATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTEON Patent No. 5 61+1+,42o Dated Februarv 9? 1979 Inventor(s) HaJOS and O liveto It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5%, line 19 of claim 2 Z is selected from the group consisting of carbonyl and CH(OR R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R is methyl or ethyl,

should be deleted Column 3 line 40 of claim 4 Z is selected from the group consisting of carbonyl and CH(OR R is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R; is methyl or ethyl,

should be deleted Signed and sealed this 3rd day of October 1972 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD MQFLEJTCHEJRJR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer- Commissioner of Patents 

